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I 


THE  IDENTIFICATION 
OF  ORGANIC  •  X  , 
COMPOUNDS  - 

By 
G.  B.  NEAVE,  M.A.,  D.Sc.  (St.  Andrews) 

and 
I.  M.  HEILBRON,  Ph.D.  (Leipzig),  F.I.C. 

LECTURERS  AND   DEMONSTRATORS,   DEPARTMENT 

OF   CHEMISTRY,    GLASGOW  AND   WEST   OF 

SCOTLAND    TECHNICAL    COLLEGE 


LO 

CONSTABLE    &    CO.,    LIMITED 
1911 


BUTLER  &  TANNER 

THE  SELWOOD  PRINTING  WORKS 

FROME  AND  LONDON 


Preface 

IN  teaching  practical  organic  chemistry  we  have 
found  the  want  of  a  convenient  text-book  dealing 
with  the  identification  of  simple  organic  compounds, 
such  as  is  required  by  students  working  for  the  Inter- 
mediate and  Final  (Branch  d)  Examinations  of  the 
Institute  of  Chemistry.  Moreover,  many  of  the 
reactions  and  physical  constants  are  not  easily  acces- 
sible, but  are  only  to  be  obtained  by  a  diligent  and 
often  tedious  search  through  some  of  the  larger  books 
of  reference. 

In  this  small  volume  we  have  endeavoured  to 
bring  together  in  a  convenient  form  the  principal 
reactions  and  physical  constants  of  the  most  import- 
ant organic  substances.  Our  aim  has  been  to  elimin- 
ate, as  far  as  possible,  guess-work  on  the  part  of  the 
student,  and  to  provide  him  with  methods  by  which 
he  can  readily  detect  the  more  important  groups  in 
the  compound,  assign  it  to  its  class,  and  then  com- 
plete its  identification  by  referring  to  the  section 
dealing  with  the  class  to  which  it  belongs.  Wherever 


288249 


iv  PREFACE 

possible,  an  easily  prepared  derivative  is  described 
under  each  compound. 

In  many  cases  descriptions  of  operations  are  brief, 
as  we  assume  that  the  student  has  already  attended 
lectures  on  Organic  Chemistry  and  worked  through 
a  satisfactory  course  of  Preparations. 

The  scheme  adopted  in  this  book  having  given 
satisfactory  results  in  the  laboratories  of  this  College, 
we  now  venture  to  give  it  wider  publicity. 

We  are  deeply  indebted  to  Professor  G.  G.  Hen- 
derson for  the  interest  he  has  taken  in  the  work,  and 
for  a  number  of  valuable  suggestions. 

G.  B.  N. 

I.  M.  H. 

GLASGOW, 

April,  1911. 


Contents 

SECTION  PAGE 

I  PRELIMINARY  TESTS        ....         1 

II  TESTS  FOR  THE  ELEMENTS       ...         4 

III  GROUP  REACTIONS           ....         8 

IV    HYDROCARBONS 14 

V  ALCOHOLS      ......        19 

VI     ETHERS 22 

VII     PHENOLS 23 

VIII    ALDEHYDES .29 

IX    KETONES 36 

X    ACIDS    .  38 

XI  AROMATIC  SULPHONIC  ACIDS  ...       48 

XII  ACID  ANHYDRIDES           .          .          .          .52 

XIII  ACID  HALIDES 53 

XIV  ACID  AMIDES 53 

XV     ACID  IMIDES 55 

XVI  ACID  ANILIDES       .          .          .          .          .55 

XVII     ESTERS. 56 

vii 


viii  CONTENTS 

SECTION  PAGE 

XVIII  QUINONES 58 

XIX  CARBOHYDRATES     .....       60 

XX  GLTJCOSIDES  .         .         .         .         .         .61 

XXI  AMINES 62 

XXII  NITRO  COMPOUNDS           ....        68 

XXIII  NITROSO  COMPOUNDS      ....       72 

XXIV  NlTRILES    AND    ISONITRILES         .              .              .          74 
XXV  ISOCYANATES.              .              .              .              .              .75 

XXVI  UREAS  AND  UREIDES      .          .          .          .75 

XXVII  URIC  ACID  GROUP          ....       78 

XXVIII  HALOGEN  COMPOUNDS     .          .          .          .80 

XXIX  Azo  COMPOUNDS  .  .  .  .  .83 

XXX  PYRIDINE  AND  QUINOLINE  GROUP  .  .  85 

XXXI  ALKALOIDS     .          .          .          .          .          .86 

XXXII  SULPHUR  COMPOUNDS  .  .  .  .89 

XXXIII  TERPENES  AND  ALLIED  COMPOUNDS         .       94 

XXXIV  ALBUMINS  AND  PROTEIDS        .          .          .97 
APPENDIX      ...          .          .          .99 

INDEX  .  101 


I.     PRELIMINARY  TESTS. 

1.  ORGANIC  compounds  are  often  characterized 
by  their  appearance  and  smell,  and  the  experienced 
student  may  frequently  be  able  to  classify  and  in 
some  cases  to  identify  a  substance  by  means  of  these 
physical  properties. 

Colour  is  generally  induced  in  a  compound  by  the 
presence  of  the  following  common  groups  : — 

(a)  Nitro  group.  The  compound  is  then  gener- 
ally yellow. 

(6)  Nitroso  group.  The  compound  in  the  fused 
state  or  in  solution  (if  monomolecular)  is  blue  to 
green  in  colour. 

(c)  Azo   group   and   other   such  related   groups. 
The  compound  is  generally  highly  coloured. 

(d)  Compounds  having  a  quinonoid  structure  are 
usually  strongly  coloured.     The  common  quinones 
are  all  deep  yellow. 

2.  If  the  substance  is  a  solid,  a  small  quantity  is 
heated  on  platinum  foil  and  the  changes  which  occur 
are  carefully  noted. 

(a)  A  sooty  flame  indicates  a  high  percentage  of 
carbon  in  the  substance.  The  compound  is  then 
probably  one  of  the  aromatic  series. 

• 


2.:  ...         THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

,  t(6J  An  ihcpmbu'stible  residue  indicates  the  pres- 
ence .bt  ''a*  m&tai  *r*r  some  inorganic  matter  in  the 
compound,  which  is  then  tested  for  in  the  usual 
manner. 

It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  the  metals 
Mercury  and  Arsenic,  likewise  Ammonium  salts,  are 
volatile. 

3.  The  solubility  of  the  substance  in  water   is 
tested. 

(a)  With  the  exception  of  certain  salts,  substances 
containing  hydroxyl  radicles  usually  dissolve. 

(6)  The  following  classes  of  compounds  are  also 
generally  soluble  : — Lower  alcohols,  aldehydes, 
ketones,  monobasic  acids,  polybasic  acids,  substi- 
tuted acids,  carbohydrates  (except  starch  and 
cellulose),  lower  amines  and  amides,  urea  and  its 
homologues,  thioureas,  cyanates,  alkyl  sulphates. 

(c)  The  solution  is  tested  with  litmus. 

(i)  An  acid  reaction  indicates  the  presence  of  a 
carboxyl  or  sulphonic  group  in  the  substance.  A 
salt  of  a  weak  base  would  be  hydrolytically  dissoci- 
ated in  dilute  solution  with  a  resulting  acid  reaction. 

Acid  chlorides  are  rapidly,  acid  anhydrides  slowly, 
decomposed  by  water,  especially  on  warming. 

(ii)  An  alkaline  reaction  usually  indicates  the 
presence  of  a  free  base. 

4.  A   small   quantity   of   the   substance    (about 
0-25  gram)  is  heated  with  a  large  excess  of  soda-lime 
in  a  hard  glass  test-tube  fitted  with  a  cork  and  a, 
short  right-angled  delivery  tube, 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  3 

(a)  Many  nitrogen  compounds  evolve  ammonia. 
An  amine  is  liberated  from  an  amine  salt. 

(6)  Formates  are  decomposed  with  evolution  of 
hydrogen. 

(c)  Hydrocarbons    are    produced   frw.    carboxy 
acids  or  their  salts.         \ 

(d)  Phenols  are  formed  from  hydroxy  aromatic 
acids  or  their  salts. 

(e)  A  smell  of  burnt  sugar  is  observed  from  carbo- 
hydrates, 'glucosides  and  many  higher  acids  such  as 
citric  acid,  tartaric  acid,   malic  acid,  tannic   acid 
and  gallic  acid. 

5.  The  substance  is  warmed  with  concentrated 
caustic  soda  solution.  NSV^^ 

(a)  Ammonia  is  evolved  from  ammonium  salts? 
amides,  and  imides. 

(6)  Amines  are  liberated  from  their  salts.  The 
lower  aliphatic  amines  have  characteristic  ammonia - 
cal  fishy  odours  and  are  inflammable.  The  aromatic 
amines  are  insoluble  oils  or  solids. 

(c)  Acetyl  derivatives  of  amines  are  decomposed, 
liberating  the  free  amine.     The  decomposition  is 
only  accomplished  by  prolonged  heating. 

(d)  Esters  are  slowly  hydrolysed  with  liberation 
of  the  alcohol.     The  vapours  of  the  lower  alcohols 
are  inflammable.     The  pleasant  characteristic  odour 
of  the  ester  disappears. 

(e)  Acids,  phenols  and  nitrophenols  dissolve  with 
formation  of  a  salt.     The  nitrophenols  give  red  or 
yellow  solutions. 

(/)  Alkaloids  are  precipitated  from  solutions  of 


4  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

their  salts.  Morphine  is  only  slowly  precipitated 
from  a  solution  of  its  salt  and  is  readily  soluble  in 
excess  of  the  reagent. 

(g)  Aliphatic  aldehydes,  with  the  exception  of 
formaldehyde,  are  converted  into  resins. 

(h)  Solutions  of  glucose  and  lactose  are  turned 
brown. 

6.  Dilute  sodium  carbonate  solution  is  added   to 
a  small  quantity  of    the  substance  contained  in  a 
test-tube,    and    the    mixture    is    gently   warmed. 
Acids,  chlorophenols,  nitrophenols   and  polyhydric 
phenols  readily  dissolve.     Monohydric  phenols  are 
insoluble. 

7.  In  order  to  ascertain  if  the  substance  is  a 
saturated  or  unsaturated  compound,  a  small  quan- 
tity is  dissolved   in   chloroform  or   in   some   suit- 
able solvent  having  no  action   on  bromine  and  a 
dilute  solution  of  bromine  in  the  same  solvent  is 
added,  drop  by  drop.     If  the  bromine  is  instantly 
decolourized  without  a  simultaneous  evolution  of 
hydrobromic  acid,  the  presence  of  a  double  or  treble 
bond  is  shown,  the  substance  being  unsaturated. 


II.     TESTS  FOR  THE   ELEMENTS. 

Oxygen  cannot  be  detected  by  any  direct  test,  and 
the  indications  of  its  presence  in  a  substance  must 
be  inferred  from  the  foregoing  experiments. 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  5 

It  is  not  generally  necessary  to  make  any  special 
tests  for  Carbon  and  Hydrogen. 

The  presence  of  Nitrogen  in  an  organic  substance 
is  indicated  by  heating  a  small  quantity  of  the  com- 
pound in  a  hard  glass  test-tube  with  excess  of  soda- 
lime.  If  ammonia  is  evolved,  the  presence  of 
nitrogen  is  proved. 

As,  however,  nitro-compounds,  azo-compounds 
and  some  other  nitrogen  compounds  do  not  respond 
to  this  test,  the  following  delicate  test  must  be  applied 
before  the  absence  of  nitrogen  may  be  considered 
conclusively  proved. 

A  small  piece  of  sodium,  about  the  size  of  a  pea, 
is  dropped  into  a  dry  hard  glass  test-tube  and  gently 
warmed  till  it  melts,  after  which  a  little  of  the  sub- 
stance, about  0-1  gram,  is  introduced  in  such  a 
manner  that  it  falls  directly  on  the  sodium.  If  the 
substance  is  a  liquid  it  is  allowed  to  fall  drop  by 
drop  on  the  sodium,  care  being  taken  to  prevent 
it  touching  the  sides  of  the  tube.  After  the  first 
violent  action  has  ceased,  the  tube  is  heated  in  a 
Bunsen  flame  till  all  apparent  change  is  over. 

The  tube  is  allowed  to  cool  and  10  cc.  water  are 
carefully  added.  The  mixture  is  boiled  for  a  few 
minutes  and,  if  necessary,  filtered  from  any  carbon- 
aceous matter. 

If  the  filtrate  be  divided  into  three  portions  the 
presence  of  a  halogen  or  of  sulphur  in  the  substance 
may  also  be  directly  tested. 

One  portion  of  the  original  solution  or  filtrate  is 
now  treated  with  a  few  drops  of  caustic  soda  solu- 


6  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

tion,  a  little  freshly-prepared  ferrous  sulphate  solu- 
tion and  finally  a  few  drops  of  ferric  chloride  solu- 
tion, and  the  whole  well  shaken.  On  carefully 
acidifying  with  concentrated  hydrochloric  acid  a 
blue  solution  or  precipitate  of  Prussian  blue  is 
formed,  proving  the  presence  of  nitrogen  in  the 
original  substance. 

Note. — With  substances  containing  only  a  small 
percentage  of  nitrogen  a  greenish-blue  solution  is 
frequently  obtained  which  may  only  show  the 
Prussian  blue  precipitate  after  standing  for  a  con- 
siderable time. 

The  formation  of  the  Prussian  blue  depends  on  the 
fact  that  the  nitrogen  and  carbon  combine  with  the 
sodium  to  yield  sodium  cyanide.  This  compound  in 
presence  of  ferrous  hydroxide  combines  to  give 
sodium  ferrocyanide — 

Fe(OH)2  +  GNaCN  =Na4FeC6N6  +2NaOH 

After  the  addition  of  ferric  chloride  and  acid  the 
insoluble  Prussian  blue  is  precipitated — 

3Na4FeC6N6  +  4FeCl3  =Fe4(FeC6N6)3  +  12NaCl. 
After  testing  the  one  portion  for  the  presence  of 
nitrogen  another  portion  is  acidified  with  nitric  acid, 
the  solution  boiled  to  expel  any  hydrocyanic  acid 
present,  and  then  silver  nitrate  solution  is  added. 
If  a  precipitate  is  formed  the  presence  of  a  halogen 
in  the  original  substance  is  indicated  and  its  nature 
may  be  determined  by  submitting  the  precipitate 
to  the  usual  examination  for  the  detection  of  cMorine, 
bromine,  or  iodine.  This  test  depends  on  the 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  7 

formation  of  sodium  halide  produced  by  combination 
of  any  halogen  in  the  original  substance  with  the 
metallic  sodium. 

Another  simple  test  to  prove  the  presence  of 
a  halogen  in  a  substance  is  obtained  by  wrapping 
a  small  piece  of  copper  oxide  within  a  stout 
copper  wire,  heating  it  in  a  Bunsen  flame  until 
no  green  colouration  is  produced,  and  allowing  it 
to  cool.  A  very  small  quantity  of  the  substance 
is  then  placed  on  the  oxide,  which  is  again  heated 
in  the  flame,  when,  if  a  halogen  be  present,  a  green 
colouration  is  observed,  due  to  the  formation  of  a 
volatile  halogen  compound  of  copper.  This  test 
is  not  absolutely  conclusive,  as  some  non-halogen- 
compounds  appear  able  to  produce  a  similar  coloura- 
tion. Further,  by  this  test,  no  information  is 
obtained  as  to  which  halogen  is  present. 

Sulphur  in  a  compound  is  best  detected  by  taking 
the  third  portion  from  the  sodium  extract  as  already 
described,  and  placing  a  drop  of  the  alkaline  solution 
on  a  silver  coin.  If  the  original  substance  contained 
sulphur,  sodium  sulphide  will  have  been  produced, 
forming  on  the  silver  coin  a  black  precipitate  of 
silver  sulphide. 

The  presence  of  sodium  sulphide  in  the  alkaline 
filtrate  is  also  readily  detected  by  the  addition  of 
sodium  nitroprusside  solution,  which  produces  a 
deep  violet  colouration  with  an  alkali  sulphide. 

Phosphorus  may  be  detected  by  fusing  a  small 
quantity  of  the  substance  with  a  mixture  of  equal 
portions  of  potassium  nitrate  and  carbonate  on  a 


8  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

piece  of  platinum  foil.  The  residue  is  dissolved  in 
water,  acidified  with  a  few  drops  of  concentrated 
nitric  acid  and  a  phosphate  tested  for  in  the  usual 
way  with  ammonium  molybdate. 


III.     GROUP  REACTIONS. 

FROM  the  foregoing  preliminary  tests  the  student 
will  have  deduced  the  type  of  compound  with  which 
he  is  dealing,  or  at  any  rate  something  of  its  nature. 
The  following  tests  for  individual  groups  may  now 
be  performed  : — 

,  HYDROXYL  GROUP. 

(a)  A  small  quantity  of  the  compound  is  heated 
for  about  fifteen  minutes  with  an  excess  of  acetic 
anhydride. 

If  a  hydroxyl  group  is  present  an  acetyl  derivative 
(oily  or  crystalline)  is  thus  formed  which  may 
then  be  separated,  washed  with  dilute  sodium  car- 
bonate solution  and  finally  hydrolysed  by  heating 
under  a  reflux  condenser  with  caustic  soda  solution. 
The  acetyl  compound  is,  in  this  way,  decomposed 
with  formation  of  an  acetate  which  can  readily  be 
recognized  by  applying  the  usual  tests  for  acetic 
acid  or  acetates  (see  page  38). 

(b)  SCHOTTEN-BAUMANN    REACTION. — About     1 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  9 

gram  of  the  compound  is  vigorously  shaken  up 
with  about  1  cc.  benzoyl  chloride  and  sufficient 
dilute  caustic  soda  solution  to  render  the  mixture 
alkaline.  The  product  is  poured  into  water  and 
the  crystalline  benzoate  separated  by  filtration, 
washed  with  water  and  then  hydrolysed  with  caustic 
soda  solution.  After  hydrolysis  an  alkali  benzoate 
is  formed,  which  can  be  detected  in  the  usual  manner 
(see  page  41). 

If  required,  the  benzoyl  derivative  may  be  puri- 
fied by  recrystallization  from  alcohol,  and  its 
melting  point  determined. 

METHOXY  AND  ETHOXY  GROUPS. 

Seven  cc.  hydriodic  acid  (Sp.  Gr.  1-7)  are  added 
to  about  0  -2  gram  of  the  compound  in  a  test-tube 
fitted  with  cork  and  delivery  tube,  the  end  of  which 
dips  into  an  alcoholic  solution  of  silver  nitrate. 
The  mixture  is  very  gently  heated  in  a  glycerine 
bath  to  140°  and,  if  a  methoxy  or  ethoxy  group  be 
present,  methyl  or  ethyl  iodide  distils  over  and 
produces  a  precipitate  of  silver  iodide  in  the  alcoholic 
silver  nitrate  solution. 

ALDEHYDE  GROUP. 

(a)  TOLLEN'S  REACTION. — Ammonium  hydroxide 
solution  is  cautiously  added  to  about  2  cc.  silver 
nitrate  solution  until  the  precipitate  which  is  first 
formed  is  just  redissolved.  One  cc.  caustic  soda 
solution  is  next  run  in  and  then  2  or  3  drops  of 


10  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

the  supposed  aldehyde  solution.  If  an  aldehyde 
group  is  present  an  immediate  deposit  of  metallic 
silver  is  produced  in  the  cold. 

(6)  SCHIFF'S  REACTION. — A  few  drops  of  the 
aldehyde  are  poured  into  about  5  cc.  of  a  solution 
of  Schiff  's  reagent  (magenta  solution  which  has  been 
decolourized  by  sulphur  dioxide).  The  red  coloura- 
tion of  the  magenta  is  immediately  restored. 

It  should  be  noted  that  some  ketones  if  present 
in  large  quantity  react  similarly,  although  the 
reappearance  of  the  colour  is  more  gradual  and 
shows  first  after  the  mixture  has  stood  for  some 
time. 

(c)  Fehling's    solution    is    rapidly    decomposed 
with  precipitation  of  red  cuprous  oxide  on  being 
warmed  with  an  aliphatic  aldehyde. 

Aromatic  aldehydes  do  not  give  this  reaction. 

(d)  If  about   1   cc.   of  an  aliphatic  aldehyde  is 
warmed   with    2   cc.    concentrated   caustic   potash 
solution,    a    brown   precipitate   of    aldehyde   resin 
separates  out. 

Formaldehyde  and  aromatic  aldehydes  do  not 
react  in  this  manner,  but  yield  mixtures  of  alcohols 
and  acids,  both  containing  the  same  number  of 
carbon  atoms  as  the  original  aldehyde. 

2R-CHO  +KOH  =  R-CH2OH  +R-COOK. 

(e)  If  1  cc.  of  an  aldehyde  is  vigorously  shaken  up 
in  a  test-tube  with  a  few  cc.  of  a  cold  saturated  solu- 
tion  of   sodium   hydrogen   sulpnite l  a   precipitate 

1  See  Appendix,  page  100. 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  11 

of  the  aldehyde  "  bisulphite  compound  "  is  formed. 
Sodium  carbonate  solution  liberates  the  aldehyde 
from  the  acid  sulphite  compound. 

Some  ketones  produce  similar  crystalline  com- 
pounds. 

KETONE  GROUP. 

If  an  aldehyde  group  is  absent  the  presence  of  a 
ketone  group  may  be  confirmed  by  the  preparation 
of  the  semicarbazone  of  the  ketone  (see  page 
30  for  this  preparation). 

AMINO  GROUP. 

(a)  CARBYLAMINE  TEST  :  — About  0-1  gram  of  the 
substance  is  mixed  with  3  drops  of  chloroform  and 
2  cc.  alcoholic  potash,  and  the  whole  carefully 
warmed.  The  characteristic  disgusting  carbyl- 
amine  odour  is  produced  if  the  substance  contains 
an  amino  group. 

(6)  A  small  quantity  of  the  compound  is  dissolved 
in  a  few  cc.  hydrochloric  acid  and  sodium  nitrite 
solution  is  then  added  until  an  excess  of  free  nitrous 
acid  is  present.  On  warming,  the  amino  group  is 
converted  into  hydroxyl,  with  a  vigorous  evolution 
of  nitrogen. 

Aliphatic  amines  and  aromatic  amines  having  the 
amino  group  in  a  side  chain  produce  alcohols. 

Aromatic  primary  amines  with  the  amino  group 
in  the.  nucleus  form  phenols. 


12  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

To  distinguish  between  the  two  classes  of  aro- 
matic amines,  the  amine  is  diazotized  (see  page  64) 
in  the  cold,  and  a  solution  of  /3-napthol  in  caustic 
soda  added.  An  intensely  coloured  azo  dye  is 
produced  if  the  amino  group  is  in  the  nucleus. 

IMINO  GROUP. 

If  sodium  nitrite  is  added  to  an  acid  solution 
of  the  compound,  a  yellow  precipitate  or  solution 
of  a  nitrosoamine  is  formed,  which  may  be  con- 
firmed by  applying  LIEBERMANN'S  TEST  for  nitro- 
soamines  : — 

The  precipitate  or  solution  containing  the  nitroso- 
amine is  extracted  with  ether,  the  ethereal  solution 
washed  and  dried  rapidly  over  calcium  chloride 
and  the  ether  then  blown  off.  To  the  residue,  oil 
or  solid,  is  now  added  a  small  quantity  of  phenol 
and  4  to  5  drops  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  when 
a  deep  greenish  black  colouration  is  produced.  On 
pouring  the  mixture  into  water  a  red  solution  is 
formed,  which  is  changed  to  blue  or  green  on  addition 
of  alkalies. 

Note. — With  aliphatic  tertiary  amines  no  reaction 
results  on  addition  of  nitrous  acid,  but  dialkylani- 
lines  interact  readily,  intensely  coloured  green 
nitroso  compounds  being  formed,  the  NO-group 
displacing  hydrogen  of  the  benzene  nucleus  from 
the  para  position  to  the  nitrogen  atom.  Substances 
of  this  type  do  not  give  Liebermann's  reaction. 

The  hydrochlorides  of  these  para-nitroso  bodies, 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  13 

which  would  be  precipitated  on  addition  of  sodium 
nitrite  to  a  hydrochloric  acid  solution  of  a  dialkylani- 
line,  are  generally  yellow  in  colour  and  must  not 
be  confounded  with  the  secondary  nitrosoamines. 

NITRO  GROUP. 

A  small  quantity  of  the  substance  is  mixed  in  a 
test-tube  with  about  2  cc.  concentrated  hydro- 
chloric acid  and  to  this  1  gram  zinc  dust  is  gradually 
added  in  small  quantities,  and  the  mixture  finally 
warmed.  About  5  cc.  water  are  now  run  in  and 
then  concentrated  caustic  alkali  until  the  precipitate 
at  first  formed  is  redissolved.  The  amine  produced 
is  extracted  with  ether,  and  the  presence  of  the 
amino  group  can  be  recognized  by  the  tests  given 
in  the  preceding  paragraph. 

NITRILES  AND  ISONITRILES. 

(a)  A  small  quantity  of  the  substance  is  heated 
with  20  cc.  concentrated  hydrochloric  acid  under 
a  reflux  condenser.  The  reaction  mixture  is  then 
made  alkaline  with  caustic  soda  and  heated. 

Ammonia  is  evolved  from  nitriles,  whereas  the 
isonitriles  yield  under  the  same  conditions  sodium 
formate  and  an  amine. 

(6)  MENDIUS' REACTION  FORNrrniLES.1 — Nitriles, 
when  reduced  in  a  similar  manner  to  that  described 
for  the  reduction  of  nitro-compounds,  yield  amines 
which  can  readily  be  isolated  and  identified. 
1  See  page  74, 


14  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

AZO-GROUP. 

Azo  dye-stuffs  when  vigorously  reduced,  yield 
amines,  either  simple  or  complex.  About  1  gram 
of.  the  substance  is  treated  with  about  20  cc.  of  a 
concentrated  solution  of  stannous  chloride  in  hydro- 
chloric acid.  Caustic  soda  solution  is  then  added 
until  the  precipitate  first  formed  is  just  redis- 
solved.  Free  amines  are  liberated  which  may 
be  separated,  and  the  usual  tests  for  the  amino 
group  applied. 


IV.   HYDROCARBONS. 

THESE  are  generally  colourless  liquids  or  solids, 
practically  insoluble  in  water,  soluble  in  alcohol 
and  ether.  The  solubility  in  the  last  mentioned 
solvents  decreases  with  increase  in  the  molecular 
weight  of  the  compound. 

ALIPHATIC  HYDROCARBONS. 

%-Pentane,    C5H12,    is    an    exceptionally    stable 
colourless  liquid,  boiling  at  36-37°. 
?&-Hexane,  C6H14,  boils  at  69-70°. 
n-Heptane,  C7H16,  boils  at  97-98°. 
^-Octane,  C8H18,  boils  at  124°. 


Isoprene,  ^TT2>C-CH=iCH2,  is  a  colourless  liquid 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  15 

boiling  at  37°,  obtained  by  dry  distillation  of 
caoutchouc.  Concentrated  hydrochloric  acid  con- 
verts isoprene  into  a  substance  very  similar  to,  if 
not  identical  with,  caoutchouc. 

AROMATIC  HYDROCARBONS. 

Benzene,  C6H6,  B.P.  80-81°,  M.P.  54°.  The 
pure  hydrocarbon  has  a  peculiar,  not  unpleasant 
smell.  It  is  exceedingly  stable  towards  oxidizing 
agents. 

If  1  gram  of  the  hydrocarbon  be  added  to  a  mix- 
ture of  3  grams  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  and 
2  grams  concentrated  nitric  acid  (Sp.  Gr.  1-4),  and 
the  mixture  warmed  on  a  water-bath  for  about 
J  hour  at  60°,  nitro-benzene  is  obtained,  and  on 
cooling  may  be  separated  from  the  lower  layer  of 
acids,  washed,  dried  and  identified  [(see  page  70) 

C6H6  +N02-OH  =  C6H5N02  +H20. 

Toluene,  C6H5-CH3,B.P.  110°.  Toluene  on  treat- 
ment with  chromic  acid  yields  benzoic  acid. 

About  1  gram  of  the  substance  is  heated  under 
a  reflux  condenser  with  a  mixture  consisting  of  2 
parts  potassium  dichromate,  3  parts  concentrated 
sulphuric  acid  and  3  of  water.  After  oxidation 
the  solution  is  filtered  while  hot,  when  on  cool- 
ing benzoic  acid  separates  out  and  may  be  tested 
for  as  shown  on  page  41. 

o-Xylene,  CJBT4  boils  at  142°.    With  dilute 


potassium  permanganate  it   yields  phthalic   acid. 


16  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

A  small  quantity  of  the  hydrocarbon  is  heated 
under  a  reflux  condenser  for  some  time  with  dilute 
alkaline  potassium  permanganate.  The  solution 
is  then,  if  necessary,  treated  with  sulphurous  acid 
to  remove  excess  of  potassium  permanganate, 
filtered  off  from  the  separated  manganese  dioxide 
and  acidified.  The  acid  is  then  extracted  with 
ether,  dried  with  calcium  chloride  and  the  tests  for 
phthalic  acid  applied  (see  page  42). 

m-Xylene  and  p-Xylene,  boiling  points  139°  and 
138°  respectively,  are  distinguished  from  each  other 
by  the  fact  that  the  meta-compound  is  sulphonated 
in  the  cold  with  sulphuric  acid,  while  the  para- 
compound  remains  unchanged. 

Ethylbenzene,  C6H5 -Calls,  boils  at  134°.  Chromic 
acid  oxidizes  it  to  benzoic  acid. 

Mesitylene,  CeHgfCHs^l  :  3  :  5,  is  an  agreeably 
smelling  liquid  boiling  at  163-164°.  With  chromic 
acid  mesitylene  is  decomposed  into  acetic  acid. 

Cumene,  C6H5 •CH(CH3)2,  is  a  colourless  liquid 
boiling  at  152-153°.  On  oxidation  with  chromic 
acid  or  dilute  nitric  acid  it  is  converted  into  benzoic 
acid. 

Cymene,   C6H4<niJ;LTj     |.|,  is  a  pleasant  smell- 

^•UhL(Ubi3)2(4) 

ing  liquid  boiling  at  175°. 

Diphenyl,  C6H5 -Cells,  is  a  colourless,  crystalline 
solid,  melting  at  71°,  B.P.  254°  ;  when  oxidized 
with  chromic  acid  it  is  converted  into  benzoic  acid. 

Diphenylmethane,  C6H5*CH2 -Cells,  is  a  crystalline 
solid,  M.P.  26 '5°,  On  oxidation  with  chromic  acid 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  17 

x 

it  is  converted  into  benzophenone  which  may  be 
extracted  with  ether  and  identified  (page  37). 

Stilbene,C6H5'CH  :  CH'C6H5j  crystallizes  in  colour- 
less needles,  M.P.  124-125°.  It  is  unsaturated  and 
readily  adds  on  two  atoms  of  bromine  forming 
stilbene  dibromide,  C6H5-CHBr-CHBr.C6H5,  M.P. 
137°.  Oxidation  with  chromic  acid  or  alkaline 
permanganate  yields  benzoic  acid. 

Styrene,  C6H5'CH  :  CH2,  is  a  colourless  liquid 
which  boils  at  145°.  It  is  oxidized  to  benzoic 
acid  with  chromic  acid  mixture. 

Phenylacetylene,  C6H5'C  =  CH,  is  a  colourless  liquid 
boiling  at  139-140°.  It  yields  a  yellow  copper 
compound  when  mixed  with  ammoniacal  cuprous 
chloride  solution.  On  oxidation  with  chromic 
acid,  benzoic  acid  is  obtained. 

Naphthalene,  Ci0H8,  crystallizes  in  lustrous  leaflets 
which  melt  at  80°  and  boil  at  218°.  It  has  a  char- 
acteristic smell,  and  is  very  volatile.  On  addition 
of  a  solution  of  the  hydrocarbon  in  benzene  to  a 
solution  of  picric  acid  in  the  same  solvent,  a  yel- 
low crystalline  compound,  naphthalene  picrate, 
CioH8,C6H2(N02)3OH  melting  at  149°  separates 
out  on  standing.  Naphthalene  on  boiling  with 
dilute  nitric  acid  is  oxidized,  yielding  phthalic  acid 
and  carbon  dioxide. 

Anthracene,  Ci4H10,  crystallizes  in  almost  colour- 
less lustrous  plates,  possessing  a  beautiful  violet 
fluorescence.  It  melts  at  213°,  boils  at  360°.  With 
picric  acid  it  forms  the  molecular  compound 
C14H10,C6H2(N02)3OH  which  is  deposited  from 

c 


18  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 

benzene  solution  in  ruby-red  needles  melting  at 
138°. 

Anthracene  is  readily  oxidized  to  anthraquinone 
by  dissolving  the  hydrocarbon  in  warm  glacial  acetic 
acid  and  adding  to  the  solution  about  double  the 
weight  of  chromic  anhydride,  and  then  boiling  for  a 
short  time.  The  mixture  is  largely  diluted  with 
water,  the  anthraquinone  filtered  off,  washed  with 
dilute  sulphuric  acid,  then  with  water  and  finally 
dried.  M.P.  273°. 

Phenanthrene,  Ci4H10,  forms  colourless  leaflets 
melting  at  99°.  It  is  readily  soluble  in  alcohol, 
while  the  isomeric  anthracene  is  only  sparingly 
soluble. 

It  combines  with  picric  acid  to  give  a  yellow 
compound,  phenanthrene  picrate,  melting  at  144°. 
With  chromic  anhydride  it  yields  phenanthra- 
quinone,  M.P.  205°. 

C6H4V 

Fluorene      |         yCH2,   crystallizes    in    colourless 
C6H4/ 

leaflets  with  a  violet  fluorescence.  It  melts  at  113°. 
The  picrate  obtained  by  mixing  benzene  solutions 
of  fluorene  and  picric  acid  melts  at  79-80°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  19 

V.  ALCOHOLS. 

THE  common  monohydric  alcohols  are,  as  a  rule, 
colourless  liquids  (diphenyl  and  triphenyl  carbinols 
are  solids)  with  a  neutral  reaction  and  possessing  a 
characteristic  smell  and  taste.  The  lower  members 
are  soluble  in  water,  but  the  solubility  rapidly  de- 
creases with  increase  of  molecular  weight.  The 
Sp.  Gr.  is  always  less  than  that  of  water. 

The  polyhydric  alcohols  are  oily  liquids  or  crystal- 
line solids,  all  readily  soluble  in  water,  sparingly 
soluble  or  insoluble  in  ether. 

PRIMARY  MONOHYDRIC  ALCOHOLS. 

Methyl  alcohol,  CH3OH,  is  a  colourless,  mobile 
liquid  boiling  at  66 '5°.  It  burns  with  a  bluish  non- 
luminous  flame.  If  a  mixture  of  methyl  alcohol 
with  dilute  sulphuric  acid  and  potassium  dichromate 
be  distilled,  the  distillate  contains  formic  acid 
which  may  be  identified  (page  38). 

When  methyl  alcohol  is  heated  with  salicylic 
acid  and  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  methyl 
salicylate  is  formed  and  can  be  identified  by  its 
odour.  On  warming  methyl  alcohol  with  para- 
nitrobenzoyl  chloride,  the  methyl  ester  is  formed, 
melting  at  96°. 

Ethyl  Alcohol,  C2H5OH,  boils  at  78°. 

1 .  When  ethyl  alcohol  is  mixed  with  a  little  dilute 
sulphuric  acid  and  potassium  dichromate  and  the 
mixture  warmed,  the  alcohol  is  oxidized  to  acetalde- 


20  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

hyde  which  can  be  recognized  by  its  peculiar  choking 
smell. 

2.  The  formation  of  lodoform  serves  as  a  delicate 
test  for  ethyl  alcohol.1    To  a  solution  of  alcohol  a 
little  sodium  carbonate  is  added  and  the  mixture 
warmed  to  about  60°.     To  this  is  now  added  drop 
by  drop,  a  strong  solution  of  iodine  in  potassium 
iodide  until,  after  shaking,  the  liquid  remains  faintly 
brown.     lodoform   separates   out,   having   a  char- 
acteristic odour  and  melting  at  119°. 

3.  The  para-nitrobenzoic-ester, 

C2H5OOC-C6H4-N02, 

is  readily  obtained  as  a  crystalline  solid  melting 
at  57°. 

Propyl  alcohol,  C3H7OH,  boils  at  97-4°.  It  is 
miscible  in  all  proportions  with  water,  but  on  addi- 
tion of  calcium  chloride  and  other  easily  soluble 
salts  it  separates  out  from  its  aqueous  solution, 

Normal  Butyl  Alcohol,  C4H4OH,  is  a  liquid  with  an 
agreeable  odour  boiling  at  117°. 

Isobutyl   Alcohol,   ™3>CH-CH2OH,   is   a   liquid 

possessing  a  fusel-oil  odour.     B.P.   108°. 

Normal  Amyl  Alcohol,  C5HuOH,  is  a  liquid  almost 
insoluble  in  water,  boiling  at  137°. 

Allyl  Alcohol,  C3H5OH    (CH2  :  CH-CH2OH),  is  a 
mobile   liquid   with   a   pungent   odour,   boiling   at 
96-5°.     It  has  the  properties  not  only  of  a  primary 
alcohol,  but  also  of  an  unsaturated  compound. 
1  Acetone  also  gives  the  lodoform  test. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  21 

On  distilling  allyl  alcohol  with  chromic  acid, 
formic  acid  (page  38)  distils  over. 

Benzyl  Alcohol,  C6H5'CH2OH,  is  a  colourless  liquid, 
with  a  faint  aromatic  odour  and  boils  at  206°.  It 
is  sparingly  soluble  in  water,  readily  in  alcohol  and 
ether.  On  oxidation  with  dilute  nitric  acid  it 
yields  first  benzaldehyde  and  then  benzoic  acid. 

SECONDARY  MONOHYDRIC  ALCOHOLS. 

Isopropyl  Alcohol  (CH3-CHOH-CH3),  boils  at  82- 
83°.  Oxidizing  agents  convert  it  into  acetone. 

Diphenyl  Carbinol,  benzhydrol,  (C6H5)2CHOH, 
crystallizes  in  silky  needles,  very  sparingly  soluble 
in  water,  M.P.  67-68°.  The  acetate  melts  at  41-42°. 

TERTIARY  MONOHYDRIC  ALCOHOLS. 

Tertiary  Butyl  Alcohol,  (CH3)3COH,  is  a  colourless 
solid  melting  at  25°,  boiling  at  83-84°. 

Triphenyl  Carbinol,  (C6H5)3COH,  M.P.  159°.  The 
acetate  melts  at  99°. 

POLYHYDRIC  ALCOHOLS. 

Ethylene  Glycol,  CH2OH-CH2OH,  is  a  thick 
colourless  liquid  boiling  at  197-198°.  When 
glycol  is  heated  with  solid  caustic  potash  to 
250°,  hydrogen  is  evolved  and  potassium  tfxalate 
formed  which  may  be  identified  (see  page  39). 

Glycerol,  C3H5(OH)3,  is  a  colourless,  syrupy 
liquid  with  a  sweet  taste,  insoluble  in  ether. 

When  glycerol  is  heated  with  potassium  hydrogen 

i 


22  THE  IDENTIFICATION   OF 

sulphate,  or  with  phosphoric  anhydride,  acrolein 
is  produced  and  may  be  identified  by  its  pungent 
disagreeable  odour. 

When  a  borax  bead  is  moistened  with  glycerol 
and  held  near  the  outer  edge  of  a  Bunsen  flame 
it  gives  a  green  colouration. 

The  following  are  crystalline  solids  : — 

Erythritol,  C4H6(OH)4,  M.P.    112°. 

Oxidation  with  cone,  nitric  acid  converts  ery- 
thritol  into  oxalic  acid.  The  tetra-benzoate  melts 
at  186-187°. 

Arabitol,  CH2OH(CHOH)3CH2OH,  M.P.  102°. 

Mannitol,    CH2OH(CHOH)4CH2OH,  M.P.  166°. 
The  hexabenzoate  melts  at  124-125°,  the  hexacetate 
at  119°. 


VI.  ETHERS. 

THESE  are  neutral,  volatile  liquids,  practically 
insoluble  in  water  and  chemically  very  indifferent. 
They  can  be  best  identified  by  their  boiling  points. 

Ethyl  Ether,  (C2H5)20,  B.P.  34-35°. 

Normal  Propyl  Ether,  (C3H7)20,  B.P.   90-91°. 

Anisol,  C6H5'0'CH3  is  an  ethereal  smelling  liquid 
boiling  at  154-155°.  Heated  with  concentrated 
hydriodic  acid  to  140°  it  decomposes  into  phenol 
and  methyl  iodide. 

Phenetol,  CeH6-0-C2H5,  boils  at  172°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  23 

Phenyl  Ether,  C6H5'0 'Celts,  crystallizes  in  long 
needles  and  possesses  a  smell  resembling  geraniums. 
It  melts  at  28°,  boils  at  252°.  It  is  not  reduced  on 
heating  with  hydriodic  acid. 


VII.     PHENOLS. 

THE  phenols,  with  the  exception  of  m-cresol  are 
crystalline  solids.  They  are  of  an  acid  nature, 
the  hydrogen  of  the  hydroxyl  being  readily  sub- 
stituted by  metals.  The  monohydric  phenols  are 
but  sparingly  soluble  in  water,  the  polyhydric 
phenols  readily  soluble. 

Phenol,  CeHsOH,  is  a  colourless  crystalline  solid, 
which  gradually  acquires  a  reddish  colour,  and 
deliquesces  on  exposure  to  air.  It  melts  at  43°, 
boils  at  181°;  it  dissolves  in  15  parts  water  and  gives 
a  violet  colouration  in  neutral  solution  with  ferric 
chloride. 

When  an  aqueous  solution  of  phenol  is  mixed 
with  one -fourth  of  its  volume  of  ammonia  solution 
and  then  with  a  few  drops  of  a  bleaching  powder 
solution,  and  gently  warmed,  a  fine  blue  colour  is 
produced,  which  soon  disappears. 

Bromine  water  precipitates  tribromophenol  from 
solutions  as  an  oil  which  soon  crystallizes  and  melts 
.at  92°.  The  crude  tribromophenol  may  if  necessary 
be  purified  by  recrystallizing  from  alcohol.  The 
benzoate  melts  at  69°. 


24  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 

o-Cresol,     C6H,<3       M.P.     31°.      On    fusion 


with  potassium  hydroxide,  salicylic  acid  is  formed. 
With  picric  acid,  a  picrate,  2C7H80,3C6H3N307, 
melting  at  88°  is  obtained  in  orange  yellow  needles. 

ra-Cresol  is  liquid  and  boils  at  202-203°.  Ferric 
chloride  colours  an  aqueous  solution  of  m-cresol 
deep  blue  violet.  The  benzoate  melts  at  54°. 

p-Cresol  melts  at  36°  and  gives  with  ferric  chloride 
a  blue  colouration.  The  benzoate  melts  at  71-72°. 


Carvaerol,  |  is  a  thick  oil  boiling  at  236- 

237°.     An  alcoholic  solution  of  carvacrol  is  coloured 
green  on  addition  of  ferric  chloride. 

CH3 

|0 


Thymol,  melts  at  50-51°,  and  possesses 

k^OH 
C3H7 

a  pleasant  aromatic  odour.  An  aqueous  solution 
of  thymol  treated  with  one  half  its  volume  of 
glacial  acetic  acid  and  one  volume  of  concentrated 
sulphuric  acid  produces  on  warming  a  red  violet 
colouration. 

a-Naphthol,  Ci.0H7OH,  melts  at  94°,  is  practically 
insoluble  in  cold  water,  readily  soluble  in  alcohol 
and  ether.  Bleaching  powder  solution  produces 
a  dark  violet  colouration.  A  naphthol  picrate  is 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  25 

produced,  by  mixing  alcoholic  solutions  of  the  com- 
ponents, in  orange  needles  melting  at  189°. 

a-Naphthol  acetate  melts  at  46°. 

PREPARATION  OP  ACETATE.  —  One  gram  of  the 
naphthol  is  boiled  for  about  fifteen  minutes  with 
2  grams  acetic  anhydride.  On  pouring  the  product 
into  water  the  crude  acetate  separates  out.  It  is 
purified  by  recrystallization  from  a  small  quantity 
of  water. 

a-Naphthol  benzoate  melts  at  56°. 

/3-Naphthol  melts  at  122°.  With  ferric  chloride 
a  greenish  colouration  is  produced  in  an  aqueous 
solution  of  the  naphthol,  from  which  after  some  time 
a  white  flocculent  precipitate  is  thrown  down. 
/3-Naphthol  dissolved  in  strong  potassium  hydroxide 
solution  and  treated  with  chloroform  produces  on 
warming  to  50°  a  blue  colouration  which  gradually 
becomes  green  and  finally  brown.  /3-Naphthol 
acetate,  C10H7OOC  •  CH3,  melts  at  70°.  The  ben- 
zoate melts  at  107°. 


Catechol  (pyrocatechin),  ^H^  melts  at 


104°.  It  reduces  Fehling's  solution  on  warming. 
With  lead  acetate  a  white  precipitate  is  obtained. 
Ferric  chloride  produces  in  an  aqueous  solution  of 
catechol  an  emerald-green  colouration,  which  on 
addition  of  sodium  bicarbonate  becomes  violet-red. 

Guaiacol,  C6H4<^H3  ^  melts  at  31°.    Ferric 

chloride  gives  its  alcoholic  solution  an  emerald-green 
colour. 


26  THE  IDENTIFICATION    OF 


Resorcinol,    C6H4  ,    M.P.     118°.     Ferric 


chloride  produces  a  dark  violet  colouration.  If 
equal  weights  of  resorcinol  and  phthalic  anhydride 
are  gently  heated  together  in  a  test-tube  a  yellow 
melt  is  obtained,  which,  when  dissolved  in  dilute 
caustic  soda  solution,  produces  a  solution  showing  a 
fine  green  fluorescence  (formation  of  fluorescein). 
Bromine  water  precipitates  tribromoresorcinol, 
M.P.  111°,  from  an  aqueous  solution  of  resorcinol. 
The  dibenzoate  melts  at  117°. 

Quinol   (hydroquinone),  C6H4<^  j:  |*|,  melts  at 

169°  and  is  readily  soluble  in  water,  alcohol  and  ether. 

With  ferric  chloride  quinhydrone  is  readily  ob- 
tained in  beautiful  metallic  green  crystals  by  adding 
ferric  chloride  to  a  concentrated  solution  of  hydro- 
quinone in  water.  The  solution  becomes  at  first 
red  and  then  rapidly  darkens. 

The  diacetate  and  the  dibenzoate  melt  respec- 
tively at  123°  and  199°. 
,CH3  (1) 

Orcinol,  C6H3/-OH  (3),  M.P.  107°,  is  easily  soluble 

\OH  (5) 

in  water,  alcohol  and  ether.  On  expo'sure  to  the  air 
it  becomes  red.  With  ferric  chloride  a  violet-black 
colouration  is  produced.  Bleaching  powder  solu- 
tion produces  a  dark  red  colouration  which  soon 
changes  to  yellow.  The  diacetate  melts  at  25°, 
the  dibenzoate  at  88°. 

Pyrogallol,  C6H3(OH)3  1:2:3,  melts  at  132-133° 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  27 

and  is  readily  soluble  in  water,  alcohol  and  ether. 
An  alkaline  solution  of  pyrogallol  quickly  absorbs 
oxygen  from  the  air  and  becomes  brown.  An 
aqueous  solution  of  pyrogallol  is  turned  brown  on 
addition  of  nitrous  acid  solution.  The  tribenzoate 
melts  at  90°. 

Phloroglueinol,  C6H3(OH)3  1:3:5,  melts  at  218° 
on  quickly  heating.  It  is  readily  soluble  in  water, 
alcohol  and  ether.  With  ferric  chloride  a  blue- 
violet  colouration  is  obtained.  The  acetate  melts 
at  105°,  the  benzoate  at  173°.  The  trioxime  melts 
at  43°. 

ALCOHOL  PHENOLS. 


Saligenin,  C  '   M'R    86°>  is 


readily  soluble  in  boiling  water,  alcohol  and  ether. 
It  dissolves  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  with  an 
intense  red  colour.  With  ferric  chloride  it  gives 
a  blue  colouration. 


Anisyl   Alcohol,    CeH^*          ,  melts  at  45°. 


Dilute  nitric  acid  oxidizes  it  to  anisic  acid,  M.P. 

185°. 

HALOGEN  PHENOLS. 

o-Chlorophenol,    C6H4<^,,    ,    has    an  unpleasant 

odour  and  boils  at  175-176°. 

m-Chlorophenol  is  obtained  as  crystals  melting  at 

28-5°. 


28  THE  IDENTIFICATION   OF 

2>-Chlorophenol  melts  at  37°.  It  possesses  a  faint, 
unpleasant  odour.  Fused  with  alkalies  it  gives 
resorcinol. 

o-Bromophenol  is  an  unpleasant-smelling  oil,  boiling 
at  194-195°. 

m-Bromophenol  melts  at  32-33°. 

p-Bromophenol  melts  at  63-64°. 

o-Iodophenol  is  obtained  as  needles,  melting  at  43°. 
It  is  fairly  soluble  in  hot  water,  readily  soluble  in 
alcohol  and  ether.  By  warming  with  nitric  acid 
(Sp.  Gr  =  1«2)  picric  acid  is  formed. 

m-Iodophenol  melts  at  40°. 

2>-Iodophenol  forms  long  needles  melting  at  92°. 
By  boiling  with  nitric  acid  it  is  readily  converted 
into  picric  acid. 

OH 


Trichlorophenol,  melts  at  67-68°  and 

Cl 

has  an  acid  reaction.     With  hydrochloric  acid  and 
potassium  chlorate,  chloranil  (see  page  59)  is  formed. 
Tribromophenol  (2:4:6)  melts  at  95°.     The  acetate 
recrystallized  from  alcohol  melts  at  82°. 

AMINOPHENOLS 

-VTTT 

o-Aminophenol,  C6H4<^:     2,  when  pure  is  colour- 

less, but  readily  becomes  brown.  It  melts  at  170°, 
and  is  somewhat  sparingly  soluble  in  water,  Teadily 
in  ether.  The  acetate  melts  at  150°. 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  29 

p-Aminophenol  melts  with"  decomposition  at  184°. 
With  chromic  acid  it  is  readily  oxidized  to  quinone. 
p-Aminophenol  Methyl  Ester    (pp  —  .   anisidine) 

OPTT    1  1  ^ 

3  )*  forms  plates  melting  at  52-56°. 


Phenacetin,    C6H4<"2nTT     .     melts  at  135°. 


On  hydrolysis  with  caustic  soda  it  yields  sodium 
acetate,  and  phenetidine,  B.P.  244°. 


VIII.  ALDEHYDES. 

THE  lower  aldehydes  are  volatile  liquids  soluble  in 
water  and  possessing  a  characteristic  odour.  The 
higher  members  of  the  series  are  solids,  insoluble  in 
water. 

In  chemical  properties  the  aldehydes  are  neutral 
substances,  easily  oxidized  to  corresponding  acids, 
their  ready  oxidation  by  the  salts  of  the  noble  metals 
being  one  of  the  characteristics  of  the  aldehydes. 

All  aldehydes  form  oximes  with  hydroxylamine, 
phenylhydrazones  with  phenylhydrazine  and  semi- 
carbazones  with  semicarbazide  hydrochloride.  As 
these  derivatives  can  readily  be  obtained  in  the  pure 
state  and  are  generally  solids,  their  preparation  and 
melting-point  determination  serve  as  an  aid  in  the 
identification  of  an  aldehyde. 

PREPARATION  OF  AN  OXIME. — One  gram  of  the 


30  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

aldehyde  dissolved  in  the  least  possible  quantity  of 
alcohol  is  treated  with  a  slight  excess  of  hydroxyl- 
amine  hydrochloride  dissolved  in  a  little  water. 
To  this  mixture  is  added  the  theoretical  quantity  of 
sodium  hydroxide  in  concentrated  solution.  If  any 
precipitate  is  now  formed,  alcohol  or  water,  as  may 
be  necessary,  is  added  to  bring  about  complete  solu- 
tion. The  solution  is  then  heated  on  a  water-bath 
under  a  reflux  condenser  for  from  one  to  two  hours. 
The  reaction  mixture  is  then  poured  into  water, 
made  faintly  acid  with  acetic  acid  and  the  oxime 
extracted  with  ether,  the  ethereal  solution  dried, 
the  ether  distilled  off  and  the  oxime  recrystallized 
from  some  suitable  solvent. 

PREPARATION  OF  A  PHENYLHYDRAZONE. — One 
cc.  phenylhydrazine  is  added  to  about  5  cc.  water 
and  sufficient  acetic  acid  added,  with  vigorous  shak- 
ing, to  bring  about  complete  solution.  About  0-5 
gram  of  the  aldehyde  is  now  added  (in  solution  if 
necessary)  and  the  mixture  vigorously  shaken  and 
very  gently  warmed.  The  phenylhydrazone  separ- 
ates out  and,  if  solid,  is  filtered  off,  washed  with 
dilute  acetic  acid,  dried  on  a  porous  plate  or  be- 
tween filter  paper,  and  finally  recrystallized  from 
alcohol  or  benzene. 

PREPARATION  OF  A  SEMICARBAZONE. — One  gram 
of  the  aldehyde,  dissolved  in  the  smallest  possible 
quantity  of  alcohol  is  added  to  a  solution  containing 
2  grams  semicarbazide  hydrochloride  dissolved  in  the 
minimum  quantity  of  water.  A  cold  alcoholic  solu- 
tion containing  2  grams  potassium  acetate,  best 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  31 

prepared  by  boiling  the  acetate  with  alcohol,  is  now 
added,  and,  if  any  precipitate  forms,  water  or  alcohol, 
as  the  case  requires,  is  then  carefully  added  until  a 
clear  solution  is  obtained.  The  mixture  is  then 
allowed  to  stand  for  some  hours,  the  aldehyde  semi- 
carbazone  gradually  separating  out. 

The  addition  of  a  few  drops  of  methyl  alcohol  (free 
from  acetone)  often  accelerates  the  separation  of 
the  semicarbazone.  The  semicarbazone  obtained  is 
finally  recrystallized  from  methyl  or  ethyl  alcohol. 

Formaldehyde,  H-CHO,  is  gaseous  at  the  ordinary 
temperature  and  is  usually  met  with  in  solution,  the 
aqueous  solution  possessing  a  penetrating,  suffocat- 
ing odour.  When  its  aqueous  solution  is  mixed  with 
ammoniacal  silver  nitrate  solution  a  silver  mirror  is 
obtained. 

Trioxymethylene  (H»CHO)3,  is  a  crystalline  com- 
pound which  sublimes  readily  under  100°.  When 
strongly  heated  it  is  decomposed  into  pure  gaseous 
formaldehyde.  It  is  readily  soluble  in  cold  sodium 
hydroxide  solution,  insoluble  in  alcohol  and  ether. 

Aeetaldehyde,  CH3-CHO,  is  obtained  as  a  strongly- 
smelling  suffocating  liquid,  boiling  at  21°  and  miscible 
in  all  proportions  with  water.  Boiling  with  potas- 
sium hydroxide  solution  produces  the  yellow-brown 
aldehyde  resin.  Aeetaldehyde  combines  readily 
with  ammonia  gas  to  give  aldehyde  ammonia,  a 
colourless  crystalline  solid.  Its  phenylhydrazone 
melts  at  99°,  the  semicarbazone  at  162°,  the  oxime 
at  47°. 

Para-aldehyde  (C2H40)3,  boils  at  124°  and  on  dis- 


32  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

tillation  is  completely  converted  into  acetaldehyde. 
It  gives  none  of  the  usual  aldehyde  reactions. 

Meta-aldehyde  (C2H40)3,  is  isomeric  with  parajalde- 
hyde.  It  is  a  crystalline  solid  which  sublimes  at 
112°  without  melting.  On  distillation  with  dilute 
sulphuric  acid  it  breaks  down  into  acetaldehyde. 
Like  para-aldehyde  it  gives  none  of  the  aldehyde 
reactions. 

Aldol,  CH3-CH(OH)CH2-CHO,  is  a  syrupy  liquid 
which  decomposes  at  135°  into  crotonaldehyde  and 
water  — 

CH3CH(OH)CH2-CHO  =  CH3CH  :CH-CHO+H20. 
It  is  soluble  in  water  and  alcohol,  and  gives  the 
usual  aldehyde  reactions. 

Acrolein,  CH2  :  CH»CHO,  is  a  pungent-smelling 
liquid,  boiling  at  52-53°.  It  is  readily  oxidized  to 
acrylic  acid. 

Crotonaldehyde,  CH3-CH  :  CH-CHO,  is  an  ex- 
tremely disagreeable-smelling  liquid  boiling  at  104°. 
The  oxime  melts  at  119-120°. 

Benzaldehyde,  C6H5'CHO,  is  a  pleasant  aromatic 
smelling  liquid,  which  boils  at  179°.  It  does  not 
reduce  Fehling's  solution  but  gives  most  of  the  alde- 
hyde reactions.  Its  oxime  melts  at  35°,  the  phenyl- 
hydrazone  at  155°,  the  semicarbazone  at  214°. 

o-Toluic  Aldehyde,  C6H  4<5™  ,    boils  at  200°.     Its 


oxime  melts  at  48-49°. 

ra-Toluic  Aldehyde  boils  at  199°. 

p-Toluie  Aldehyde  is  a  liquid  with  a    pepper-like 
odour,  boiling  at  204°.     The  oxime  exists  in  two 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  33 

forms.     The  anti-derivative  melts  at  79°,  the  syn- 
compound  at  109°. 

CHO 


2>-Cumic  Aldehyde,  Cuminol,    |          I  is   a  pleasant, 

CH(CH3)2 

aromatic-smelling  liquid,  boiling  at  237°.     Its  oxime 
melts  at  58°. 

Cinnamic  Aldehyde,  C6H5-CH  :  CH-CHO,  decom- 
poses on  boiling.  The  phenylhydrazone  melts  at 
168°. 

SUBSTITUTED  ALDEHYDES. 

Chloral,  CC13  •  CHO,  is  a  colourless,  pungent-smell- 
ing liquid  boiling  at  97-98°.  Concentrated  alkali 
solutions  decompose  chloral  even  at  ordinary  temper- 
atures into  chloroform  and  alkali  formate  — 

CC13-CHO  +  KOH  =  CHC13  +  H-COOK. 
The  oxime  melts  at  39-40°. 

Chloral  Hydrate,  CC13-CH(OH)2,  melts  at  57°. 
It  is  readily  soluble  in  water  and  alcohol.  It  does 
not  show  the  usual  aldehyde  reactions.  By  shaking 
with  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  it  is  immediately 
converted  into  chloral. 

Bromal,  CBr  3-  CHO,  boils  at  174°.  With  alkalies 
it  is  decomposed  into  brompform  and  alkali  formate. 

Bromal  Hydrate  melts  at  53-54°. 

Cl 
o-Chlorobenzaldehyde,  CaH^^^^  ,  is  a  liquid,  boil- 


ing at  213-214°,  with  a  strong  odour.     Its  oxime 
melts  at  75°  (anti),  the  syn.  derivative  at  98-102°. 


34  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 

m-Chlorobenzaldehyde  is  obtained  in  long  prisms, 
melting  at  17-18°,  boiling  at  213°.  Oxime,  M.P. 
70°  (syn.). 

p-Chlorobenzaldehyde  is  a  solid  with  an  odour  like 
benzaldehyde,  melting  at  47-48°. 

OTTO 
o-Nitrobenzaldehyde,  C6H4<  ,    is   obtained  in 


the  form  of  long,  pale  yellow  needles,  melting  at 
44°.  It  has  an  odour  similar  to  that  of  benzalde- 
hyde, is  readily  soluble  in  alcohol  and  ether,  sparingly 
in  water.  Concentrated  aqueous  sodium  hydroxide 
converts  it  readily  into  o-nitrobenzoic  acid  and  o- 
nitrobenzylalcohol.  The  oxime  melts  at  96°. 

ra-Nitrobenzaldehyde  melts  at  58°.  It  is  fairly  solu- 
ble in  hot  water,  readily  in  alcohol  and  ether.  The 
oxime  melts  at  118°. 

p-Nitrobenzaldehyde  melts  at  106°.  With  chromic 
acid  it  is  converted  into  its  corresponding  acid.  The 
oxime  melts  at  129°. 


o-Nitrocinnamic   aldehyde,   C6H4?:  CH  '  CHO' 


melts  at  127°  and  is  soluble  in  hot  water. 

ra-Nitrocinnamie  aldehyde,  M.P.  116°. 

2>Nitroeinnamic    aldehyde    melts    at     141°.     The 
oxime  melts  at  178-179°. 


o-Aminobenzaldehyde,  ^^<  obtained  in 


silvery  leaflets  melting  at  39-40°,  readily  soluble 
in  alcohol  and  ether,  sparingly  in  water.  The 
acetyl  derivative  melts  at  70°,  the  oxime  at  132°, 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  35 

ra-Aminobenzaldehyde  is  a  yellow  amorphous  sub- 
stance. The  oxime  melts  at  88°. 

p-Aminobenzaldehyde  melts  at  70-71°.  The  hydro- 
chloride  is  obtained  in  red  crystals.  The  acetyl 
derivative  melts  at  155°,  the  oxime  at  124°. 

Salicylic  Aldehyde, C6H4<^Q  |*j,  is  a  pleasant- 
smelling  oil,  boiling  at  196°.  On  oxidation  it  yields 
salicylic  acid.  The  acetyl  derivative  melts  at  37°, 
the  oxime  at  57°. 

m-Hydroxybenzaldehyde  melts  at  104°.  The  aque- 
ous solution  is  coloured  deep  violet  with  ferric 
chloride  solution.  The  oxime  melts  at  87°. 

^-Hydroxybenzaldehyde  melts  at  115-116°  and  sub- 
limes undecomposed.  The  aqueous  solution  is 
coloured  faintly  violet  with  fermp^chloride.  The 
oxime  melts  at  65°. 

Anisic  Aldehyde,  C6H4<5?-2    ,(!?,  boils    at  248°. 
^UUfets  (4) 

The  oxime  melts  at  61°.        * 

/CHO  (1) 
Protocatechuie  Aldehyde,  C6H3^-OH     (3),  melts  at 

\OH     (4) 

153°.  Ferric  chloride  colours  an  aqueous  solution 
of  protocatechuic  aldehyde  green  ;  on  addition  of 
sodium  carbonate  the  colour  changes  to  violet  and 
then  to  red.  The  oxime  melts  at  150°. 

/VCHO  (1) 

Vanillin,  C6H3<J— OCH3  (3)  has  a  pleasant,  vanilla- 
NOH      (4) 

like  odour  and  melts  at  80-81°.     It  gives  with  ferric 


36  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

chloride  a  blue  colouration.     The  benzoate  melts  at 
75°,  the  oxime  at  117°. 


Piperonal,    C6-. 

\^   ^>CH2,  has  a  pleasant  helio- 

trope odour.  It  melts  at  37°.  The  oxime  melts  at 
110-112°,  the  phenylhydrazone  at  100°. 

Closely  related  to  the  aldehydes  themselves  are 
the  aldehyde  ethers.  These  are  liquids,  sparingly 
soluble  in  water,  which  on  boiling  with  dilute  hydro- 
chloric acid  are  readily  broken  up  into  their  consti- 
tuent aldehyde  and  alcohol. 

Methylal  CH2(OCH3)2,  B.P.  42°. 

Acetal,  CH3-CH(OC2H5)2,  B.P.  104°. 


4 

IX.    KETONES. 


THE  aliphatic  ketones  are  liquids,  the  common  aro- 
matic ketones  are  solids.  They  are  only  oxidized 
with  difficulty  and  therefore  do  not  reduce  alkaline 
silver  solutions.  Only  those  ketones  with  a  methyl 
group  directly  attached  to  the  carbonyl  group  form 
bisulphite  compounds.  Like  aldehydes  they  form 
oximes,  phenylhydrazones,  and  semicarbazones. 
The  methods  for  the  preparation  of  these  derivatives 
are  similar  to  those  employed  in  the  case  of  the 
aldehydes. 

Acetone,  CH3-CO-CH3,  B.P. 56°,  is   miscible  with 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  37 

water  in  all  proportions.  With  iodine  and  caustic 
potash  it  forms  iodoform.  The  oxime  melts  at 
59-60°. 

Methylethylketone,  CH3-CO-C2H5,  boils  at  80-81°. 
The  oxime  is  an  oil,  the  semicarbazone  melts  at 
135-136°. 

Diethylketone,  C2H5-CO-C2H5,  B.P.  102-103°. 

Dipropylketone,  C3H7-CO-C3H7,  B.P.  144°. 


Pinacoline,  CH3C'CO-CH3,  is     a    peppermint- 


C 
/ 


smelling  liquid  boiling  at  106°.  It  forms  no  bisul- 
phite compound.  The  oxime  melts  at  74-75°. 

Aeetophenone,  C6H5-CO-CH3,  melts  at  20°.  With 
picric  acid  it  gives  a  picrate,  greenish-yellow  crystals 
melting  at  53°.  The  oxime  melts  at  59°. 

Benzophenone,  C6H5  -CO  -Cells,  melts  at  48-49°. 
The  oxime  melts  at  139-140°,  the  phenyl-hydra- 
zone  at  137°. 

Benzoin,  C6H5-CHOH-CO-C6H5,  melts  at  137°. 
It  is  converted  into  benzil  by  means  of  nitric  acid. 
Fehling's  solution  is  readily  reduced  by  means  of 
benzoin.  The  oxime  melts  at  151-152°  (a-deriva- 
tive). 

Deoxybenzom,  C6H5  -0*3(00  -CeHg,  melts  at  60°, 
The  oxime  melts  at  f?>  the  phenylhydrazone  at 
116°. 

Benzil,  C6H5.CO-CO-C6H5,  melts  at  95°.  The 
dioxime  melts  with  decomposition  at  237°. 


38  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

X.     ACIDS. 

To  obtain  the  acid  from  a  salt,  the  latter  is  dissolved 
in  water  (if  it  is  insoluble,  it  is  boiled  with  sodium 
carbonate  and  filtered),  and  the  solution  acidified. 
In  many  cases  the  acid  will  be  precipitated  ;  if 
soluble  in  water  it  is  extracted  with  ether,  the 
ethereal  solution  dried  and  the  ether  distilled  off. 
The  physical  and  chemical  properties  of  the  acid 
are  then  determined. 

1.  SATURATED  ALIPHATIC  MONOBASIC  ACIDS. 

The  lower  members  are  liquids,  soluble  in  water, 
the  solubility  decreasing  with  increase  of  molecular 
weight.  The  higher  members  are  odourless  solids, 
insoluble  in  water. 

Formic  Acid,  H-COOH,  when  anhydrous  boils  at 
101°.  By  the  action  of  concentrated  sulphuric  acid, 
carbon  monoxide  is  evolved.  Formic  acid  reduces 
solutions  of  silver  and  mercury  salts. 

Acetic  Acid,  CH3-COOH,  when  free  from  water 
melts  at  16-5°,  and  boils  at  118°.  The  addition  of 
ferric  chloride  to  a  neutral  solution  of  an  acetate 
produces  a  deep  red  colour,  which  on  warming  dis- 
appears, while  a  brown  flocculent  precipitate  of  basic 
ferric  acetate  is  thrown  down. 

When  acetic  acid  is  warmed  with  alcohol  and  con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid,  ethyl  acetate  is  formed, 
which  may  be  recognized  by  its  pleasant  fruity  odour. 

Propionic  Acid,  C2H5-COOH,  boils  at  141°.     It  is 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  39 

precipitated  as  an  oil  from  aqueous  solution  by  the 
addition  of  calcium  chloride.  The  ethyl  ester  boils 
at  98-99°. 

^Butyric  Acid,  CH3-CH2-CH2-COOH,  boiling  at 
162°,  has  an  extremely  unpleasant  odour.  Its  ethyl 
ester  boils  at  120°. 

Isobutyric  Acid,  ^3>CH-COOH,  boils  at    155° 

and  is  insoluble  in  water.  The  ethyl  ester  boils  at 
110°. 

Palmitic  Acid,  CH3-(CH2)14-COOH,  melts  at  62°. 
The  lead  salt  formed  by  adding  lead  acetate  to  a 
neutral  solution  of  ammonium  palmitate  melts  at 
112°. 

Stearic  Acid,  CH3-(CH2)16-COOH,  melts  at  69-2° 
and  the  lead  salt  at  125°. 


2.  SATURATED  ALIPHATIC  POLYBASIC  ACIDS. 

These  acids  are  solids,  and  are  soluble  in  water. 

COOH 
Oxalic  Acid,    |  +  2H20,  melts  at  98°.     When 

COOH 

acted  on  by  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  carbon 
monoxide  and  carbon  dioxide  are  evolved.  Potas- 
sium permanganate  reacts  with  oxalic  acid,  with  for- 
mation of  carbon  dioxide  and  water.  The  calcium 
salt  is  insoluble  in  water  and  in  acetic  acid.  The 
dimethyl  ester,  which  can  be  prepared  by  boiling 
the  anhydrous  acid  with  methyl  alcohol  for  about 
ten  minutes,  is  a  solid  melting  at  54°. 


40  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

POO1T 
Malonic  Acid,  CH2,  melts  at   132°.     On 


heating  more  strongly,  it  is  decomposed  into  acetic 
acid  and  carbon  dioxide. 

CH2-COOH 
Succinic  Acid,  |  ,  melts  at  185°.     When 

CH2-COOH 

a  neutral  solution  of  ferric  chloride  is  added  to  a 
neutral  solution  of  a  succinate,  a  brown-red  precipi- 
tate of  basic  ferric  succinate  is  produced.  Succinic 

CH2CO  \ 
anhydride      |  ;Q  melting  at  119°,  is  obtained 

CH2COX 

by  the  action  of  acetyl  chloride  on  the  acid  at  50°. 
It  is  purified  by  recrystallizing  from  chloroform. 

>  melting   at  97-5°, 

is  converted  into  the  anhydride  (M.P.  56-57°)  by 
heating  for  some  time. 


3.  UNSATURATED  ALIPHATIC  ACIDS. 

Acrylic  Acid,  CH2:CH-COOH,  boils  at  140°  and 
polymerizes.  The  lead  salt  crystallizes  in  fine 
needles.  When  acrylic  acid  is  fused  with  potassium 
hydroxide,  it  is  decomposed  into  potassium  formate, 
potassium  acetate  and  hydrogen.  The  ethyl  ester 
boils  at  101-102°. 

Crotonic  Acid,  CH3-CH:CH-COOH,  melting  at 
71-72°,  when  fused  with  potassium  hydroxide  pro- 
duces potassium  acetate  and  hydrogen.  Its  ethyl 
ester  boils  at  142°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  41 

Oleie  Acid,  CH3-(CH2)7-CH  :  CH-(CH2)7-COOH, 
melts  at  14°,  and  boils  at  223°  at  10  mm.  The  lead 
salt  is  soluble  in  ether  and  melts  about  80°.  When 
oleic  acid  is  shaken  with  nitrous  acid,  it  is  transformed 
into  the  isomeric  Elaidie  Acid,  melting  at  44-45°. 

H  -C  —  COOH 

Fumarie  Acid,  ||  ,  sublimes  at 

HOOC  —  C  -H 

200°,  without  melting.  When  distilled  with  phos- 
phorus pentoxide,  maleic  anhydride  (M.P.  60°)  is 
formed.  By  the  action  of  bromine  at  100°  on  fumaric 
acid,  dibromsuccinic  acid,  melting  at  255-256°  with 
decomposition,  is  produced. 

H  -  C  -  COOH 

Maleic  Acid,  f]  ,  melting  at  130°,  is 

H  -  C  -  COOH 

converted  into  the  anhydride  (M.P.  60°)  by  heating 
under  diminished  pressure  at  100°. 


4.  AROMATIC  ACIDS. 

Benzoic  Acid,  C6H5-COOH,  melts  at  121°,  and  can  be 
sublimed  easily.  It  is  practically  insoluble  in  cold 
water,  easily  soluble  in  alcohol  and  ether.  When 
heated  with  lime,  benzene  is  produced.  Ethyl 
benzoate  (B.P.  213°),  a  pleasant-smelling  liquid,  is 
easily  formed  by  heat  ing  together  benzoic  acid,  ethyl 
alcohol  and  a  small  quantity  of  concentrated  sul- 
phuric acid. 

o-Toluie  Acid,  C6H4<,  M.P.  102°,  is  easily 


42  THE  IDENTIFICATION   OF 

soluble  in  hot  water.  Dilute  nitric  acid  oxidizes 
it  to  phthalic  acid. 

m-Toluie  Acid,  M.P.  110°,  is  readily  soluble  in 
water. 

p-Toluic  Acid,  M.P.  176-177°.  The  methyl  ester, 
a  strongly  smelling  solid,  melts  at  32°. 

a-Naphthoie  Acid,  d0H7-COOH,  M.P.  160°  and 

/3-Naphthoic  Acid,  M.P.  182°  are  converted  into 
naphthalene  by  distillation  with  lime.  When  the 
a-compound  is  oxidized  with  chromic  acid  in  glacial 
acetic  acid,  phthalic  acid  is  produced.  Methyl  /3- 
naphthoate  is  a  solid  melting  at  77°. 

Phthalie  Acid,  C6H4<£;OOH  £|,  on  heating  forms 


phthalic  anhydride  (M.P.  128°).  When  the  latter 
is  heated  with  phenol  and  a  little  anhydrous  zinc 
chloride,  phenolphthalein  is  produced  — 

2C6H5OH  =  H20  + 


/C-C6H4OH 
C6H4(      /Q 

\co 

Phenylacetic  Acid,  C6H5-CH2-COOH,  M.P.  76°,  is 
sparingly  soluble  in  cold  water. 

Hydrocinnaminic  Acid,  C6H5-CH2-CH2-COOH,  M.P. 
48°. 

Cinnamic  Acid,  C6H5-CH  :  CH-COOH,  M.P.  133°. 
The  methyl  ester  melts  at  33°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  43 

5.  SUBSTITUTED  ACIDS. 

A.    HYDROXY  ACIDS. 

Glyeollic  Acid,  CH2OH  •  COOH,  melting  at  78-79°, 
when  heated  to  100°  is  converted  into  an  anhydride, 
M.P.  128-130°. 

Lactic  Acid,  CH3-CHOH-COOH,is  a  syrup,  easily 
soluble  in  water  and  alcohol,  difficultly  soluble  in 
ether.  Hydriodic  Acid  reduces  it  to  propionic  acid, 
while  at  the  same  time  free  iodine  is  produced.  The 
silver  salt  melts  at  100°. 

CHOH-COOH 
Malic  Acid,  ,  melts  at  100°.     When 

CH2-COOH 

calcium  chloride  and  alcohol  are  added  to  a  neutral 
solution  of  a  malate,  calcium  malate  is  precipitated. 

CHOH-COOH 
Tartaric  Acid,  |  ,  melting  at  168-170°, 

CHOH-COOH 

is  decomposed  on  heating  strongly,  with  production 
of  a  smell  of  burnt  sugar.  Calcium  chloride  added 
to  a  neutral  solution  of  a  tartrate  (but  not  of  tartaric 
acid)  precipitates  calcium  tartrate.  When  ammoni- 
acal  silver  nitrate  solution  is  added  to  a  neutral 
solution  of  a  tartrate,  a  silver  mirror  is  produced  on 
warming. 

CH2-COOH 

Citric  Acid,  C(OH)-COOH  +  H20,  is  easily  soluble 

CH2-COOH 
in  water  and  alcohol.     It  loses  its  water  of  crystalliz- 


44  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

ation  at  130°,  and  melts  at  153°.  When  calcium 
chloride  is  added  to  a  neutral  solution  of  a  citrate 
and  the  mixture  heated  for  some  time,  calcium 
citrate  is  precipitated. 


Salicylic  Acid,  C6H4<OH         melting  at  155°,  is 

converted  into  phenol  when  it  is  heated  with  lime. 
Ferric  chloride  added  to  a  solution  of  salicylic  acid 
produces  a  deep  violet  colouration,  which  is  not  des- 
troyed by  addition  of  acetic  acid.  Methyl  salicylate, 
which  has  a  characteristic  odour,  boils  at  224°. 

/OH      (1) 

Protocateehuie  Acid,  C6H34-OH      (2),  melts  at  199*. 

\COOH(4) 

Ferric  chloride  added  to  a  solution  of  the  acid,  pro- 
duces a  green  colouration,  which,  on  addition  of 
sodium  hydroxide,  changes  to  blue  and  finally  to 
red. 

Gallic  Acid,  C6H2(OH)3-COOH  +  H20,  decom- 
poses at  220°,  into  carbon  dioxide  and  pyrogallol 
(see  page  26).  Ferric  chloride  produces  a  blue- 
black  precipitate,  soluble  in  hydrochloric  acid  but 
reprecipitated  by  ammonia. 

Tannic  Acid  is  an  amorphous  powder,  more 
soluble  in  water  than  in  alcohol.  Ferric  chloride 
solution  added  to  a  solution  of  the  acid,  produces  a 
blue-black  colouration.  When  sulphuric  acid  is 
added  to  a  concentrated  solution  of  tannic  acid,  a 
white  precipitate  is  formed,  which  in  contact  with 
air  turns  blue. 

Mandelic  Acid,  C6H5-CHOH-COOH,  melts  at  118°, 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  45 

and  is  easily  soluble  in  water.  Oxidation  with  nitric 
acid  produces  benzaldehyde.  The  methyl  ester 
melts  at  52°. 


B.    HALOGEN  SUBSTITUTED  ACIDS. 

Monochloroacetie  Acid,  CH2C1-COOH,  melting  at 
62-63°,  heated  with  caustic  potash  forms  glycollic 
acid. 

Dichloroacetic  Acid,  CHC12'COOH,  is  a  liquid,  boiling 
at  189-191°. 

Trichloroaeetie  Acid,  CC13-COOH,  melts  at  55°. 
When  digested  with  caustic  potash,  chloroform  and 
potassium  carbonate  are  formed. 

Monobromoacetic  Acid,  CH2Br-COOH,  melts  at 
49-50°. 

Dibromoaeetie  Acid,  CHBr2-COOH  melts  at  48°. 

Tribromoacetie  Acid,  CBr3-COOH  melts  at  135°. 

o-Chlorobenzoic  Acid,  C6H4,  M.P.  137°. 


Reduction  with  sodium  amalgam  produces  benzoic 
acid. 

ra-Chlorobenzoie  Acid,  M.P.  153°. 

p-Chlorobenzoie  Acid,  M.P.  236°. 

o-Bromobenzoie  Acid,  C6H4<^         M.P.  147°. 

ra-Bromobenzoic  Acid,  M.P.  155°. 

p-Bromobenzoie  Acid,  M.P.  251°. 

When  the  halogen  benzoic  acids  are  distilled  with 
lime,  the  corresponding  halogen  derivatives  of 
benzene  are  produced, 


46  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

C.    NITRO  ACIDS. 

ivro 
o-Nitrobenzoie    Acid,    C6H^QQQH>  M- 

m-Nitrobenzoic  Acid,  M.P.  141°. 
p-Nitrobenzoic  Acid,  M.P.  238°. 

These  acids  can  be  reduced  to  the  corresponding 
amino-acids  by  tin  and  hydochloric  acid. 

o-Nitrocinnamic  Acid,  Cfl 


:  CH.COOHj 
M.P.  237-240°. 

m-Nitroeinnamie  Acid,  light  yellow  needles.  M.P. 
197°. 

p-Nitrocinnamic  Acid,  M.P.  286°. 

Oxidation  with  alkaline  potassium  permanganate 
solution  converts  these  acids  into  the  corresponding 
nitrobenzaldehyde  and  nitrobenzoic  acid. 

D.    AMINO  ACIDS. 

Aminoacetic  Acid  (glycine),  CH2NH2-COOH,  M.P. 
232°,  with  decomposition,  is  converted  by  nitrous 
acid  into  glycollic  acid.  Ferric  chloride  added  to  a 
solution  of  glycine  causes  an  intense  red  colouration 
which  is  discharged  by  acids,  and  restored  by 
ammonia. 

Methyl  Glycine  (sarcosine),  CH2NH(CH3)-COOH, 
M.P.  210-215°,  gives  by  the  action  of  nitrous  acid  a 
nitroso-compound.  When  heated  with  soda-lime, 
sarcosine  produces  methylamine. 

Aceturic  Acid  (Acetoglycine), 

CH2NH-(COCH3)-COOH, 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  47 

melts  at  206°.     On  boiling  with  acids,  it  is  decom- 
posed into  glycine  and  acetic  acid. 
Hippurie  Acid  (Benzoylglycine), 

CH2NH(COC6H5)COOH, 

melting   at    187°,  is  decomposed   by    boiling   with 
dilute  acids  into  benzoic    acid  and  glycine. 

CH2NH-(COC6H5)-COOH  +H20  =  C6H5-COOH  + 
CH2NH2COOH. 

Aminopropionie  Acid  (Alanine)  CH3-CHNH2-COOH. 
When  heated  with  concentrated  phosphoric  acid 
solution  it  is  decomposed  into  carbon  dioxide, 
ammonia  and  acet  aldehyde. 

Aspartic  Acid,  COOH  -CH2-CHNH2  -COOH.  Nitrous 
acid  converts  it  into  malic  acid. 

Asparagine,  CONH2-CH2-CHNH2.COOH,  forming 
large  rhombic  crystals,  decomposes  over  200°  with- 
out melting.  When  heated  with  alkalies,  ammonia 
and  aspartic  acid  are  produced.  With  nitrous  acid 
it  gives  malic  acid. 

o-Aminobenzoic  Acid  (Anthranilic  Acid), 

C6H4<^       ^       melting  at    144°,   when   rapidly 

heated,  decomposes  into  carbon  dioxide  and  aniline. 
Nitrous  acid  transforms  it  into  salicylic  acid. 

Acetylanthranilic  Acid,  C6H4<°CH3,  M.P.1850. 


Benzoylanthranilic  Acid,  C6H4<65,  M.P. 

177°. 

m-Aminobenzoie  Acid  forms  small  reddish  crystals, 
M,P,  173-174°, 


48  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

p-Aminobenzoic  Acid,  M.P.  186-187°. 
o-Aminocinnamic  Acid,  C8 


CH.COOH 

M.P.    158-159°,    forms   yellow   needles    and   gives 
fluorescent  solutions  in  ether  and  alcohol. 


XI.    AROMATIC  SULPHONIC 
ACIDS. 

THESE  are,  as  a  rule,  very  soluble  in  water  and  crystal- 
lize with  difficulty.  To  identify  them,  it  is  best  to 
prepare  the  sulphonamide  and  take  its  melting  point. 
The  sodium  salts  are  easily  obtained  by  salting  out. 

PREPARATION  OF  THE  AMIDE. — One  gram  of  the 
sodium  salt  and  2  grams  phosphorus  pentachloride 
are  heated  on  a  water  bath.  After  the  reaction  is 
finished,  the  mixture  is  poured  into  water  and  the 
oily  acid  chloride  extracted  by  means  of  ether.  One 
gram  of  the  oil  and  2  grams  of  ammonium  carbon- 
ate are  heated  on  a  water  bath  until  the  smell  of  the 
chloride  disappears.  The  reaction  product  is  then 
poured  into  water.  After  filtering,  the  amide  is 
recrystallized  from  water  and  its  melting-point 
determined. 

When  a  sulphonic  acid  or  a  salt  is  fused  with  alkali, 
a^henol  is  produced — 
CfiH5-S03Na  +2NaOH  =  C6H5OH+Na2S03+H20. 

METHOD.— One  gram  of  the  acid  or  salt  is  mixed 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  49 

with  2  grams  solid  caustic  potash  and  heated  in  a 
nickel  crucible  to  about  200°  for  one  hour.  After 
cooling  the  product  is  dissolved  in  water,  the  solu- 
tion acidified  and  the  phenol  extracted  with  ether 
and  identified. 

By  passing  superheated  steam  into  the  sulphonic 
acid,  a  hydrocarbon  results. 

Benzene  sulphonic  acid,  C6H5S03H,  M.P.  50°. 
M.P.  of  amide,  150°. 

o-Toluene  sulphonic  acid,  C6H4<^  3H'2H20, 
deliquescent  leaflets.     M.P.  of  amide,  155°. 

m-Toluene  sulphonic  acid,   C6H4<^O  3H  -H20, 
deliquescent  needles.     M.P.  of  amide,  107°. 

p-Toluene  Sulphonic  acid,  C6H43    -4H20, 


crystallizes  in  leaflets.   M.P.   92°.     M.P.   of  amide, 
137°. 


o-Benzene  disulphonic  acid,  CeH^3,  M.P.    of 

chloride,   105°  ;    of  amide,  233°. 

m-Benzene  disulphonic  acid,  M.P.  of  chloride,  53°  ; 
of  amide,  228°. 

^-Benzene  disulphonic  acid,  M.P.  of  chloride,  131°  ; 
of  amide,  288°. 

o-Phenolsulphonic   acid,   CeH^^^-fHaO,  melts 


above  50°.  When  the  potassium  salt  is  treated 
with  benzoyl  chloride,  potassium  chloride  is  preci- 
pitated, and  on  extraction  with  ether,  phenyl 
benzoate  is  obtained, 


50  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 


w-Phenolsulphonic  acid,  CoH.i^^rr    -2H20,crystal- 

^bUsii 

lizes  in  fine  needles.     Ferric  chloride  produces  in 
solutions  of  the  acid,  a   violet  colouration. 

2>Phenolsulphonic  Acid  is  oxidized  by  manganese 
dioxide  and  sulphuric  acid  to  quinone.  When 
boiled  with  hydriodic  acid,  £>-phenolsulphonic  acid 
is  decomposed  into  phenol  and  sulphuric  acid. 

Cl 
o-Chlorobenzenesulphonic  acid,  C6H4<^~  JT,     The 

chloride  melts  at  28-5°  ;    the  amide  at  188°. 

m-Chlorobenzenesulphonie  acid.  The  chloride  is  an 
oil  ;  the  amide  melts  at  148°. 

p-Chlorobenzenesulphonic  acid.  M.P.  of  chloride, 
53°  ;  of  amide,  143°. 

o-Bromobenzenesulphonic  acid,  C6H4<^^  ^.  M.P. 

of  chloride,  51°  ;  of  amide,   186°. 

m-Bromobenzenesulphonie  acid.  The  chloride  is 
oily.  M.P.  of  amide,  154°. 

p-Bromobenzenesulphonic  acid,  melts  at  88°.  M.P. 
of  chloride,  75°  ;  of  amide,  166°. 

o-Iodobenzenesulphonie    acid,    C6H4<^gQ  g.     M.P. 

of  chloride,  51°  ;  of  amide,  170°. 

p-Iodobenzenesulphonie  acid.  The  chloride  melts 
at  86-87°;  the  amide  at  183°. 

o-Nitrobenzenesulphonic  Acid,  csH4<;^2H  .     M.P. 

of  chloride,  67°  ;  of  amide,  186°. 

m-Nitrobenzenesulphonic  acid.  M.P.  of  chloride, 
60-5°  j  of  amide,  161°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  51 

p-Nitrobenzenesulphonic  acid.    The  chloride  is  oily  ; 
the  amide  melts  at  181°. 
p-Aminobenzenesulphonic    acid    (Sulphanilic    acid), 

C6H4<^^  \r,  when  oxidized  gives  quinone.    Fusion 

with  caustic  potash  produces  aniline  and  not  amino- 
phenol. 

SO  TT 
o-Sulphobenzoie   acid,   <^*<C?«n>  when  anny- 


drous  melts  at  250°.  On  fusion  with  caustic  potash 
it  is  converted  into  salicylic  acid.  The  imino  deriva- 

SO 
tive,  C6H4<^i^'2^>NH,  known  as    Saccharin,  melts 

with  partial  decomposition  at  220°.  By  heating  with 
alkalies,  saccharin  is  decomposed  into  ammonia  and 
o-sulphobenzoic  acid.  The  sodium  salt, 

a  (the  saccharin  of  commerce)  is 


readily  soluble  in  water. 

a-Naphthalene  sulphonic  acid,  C10H7S03H-H20, 
M.P.  85-90°.  The  chloride  crystallizes  from  ether 
in  leaflets,  melting  at  66°.  The  amide  melts  at  150°. 
Potassium  permanganate  in  acid  solution  oxidizes 
the  sulphonic  acid  to  phthalic  acid. 

/3-Naphthalene  sulphonic  acid,  M.P.  161°.  The 
chloride  melts  at  76°  ;  the  amide  at  212°. 


52  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

XII.    ACID  ANHYDRIDES. 

THE  aliphatic  acid  anhydrides  are  mostly  colourless 
liquids,  insoluble  in  water,  readily  soluble  in  alcohol 
and  ether,  with  boiling  points  higher  than  those  of 
the  corresponding  acids.  The  aromatic  acid  anhy- 
drides are  solids  with  melting-points  lower  than  those 
of  the  corresponding  acids.  Water  slowly  hydro- 
lyses  anhydrides  with  formation  of  acids.  With 
alkalies  they  readily  form  salts  of  the  corresponding 
acids,  and  with  alcohols,  esters  are  produced. 

Acetic    anhydride,     (CH3CO)20,    B.P.     137-138°. 
CH2COV 

Succinic  Anhydride,   |  X),      M.P.    119-120°, 

CH2CO 
reverts  to  the  acid  in  moist  air. 

Benzoic  anhydride,  (C6H5CO)20,  M.P.  42°. 

PO 
Phthalie   anhydride,  C6H4<^>0,  melts  at  128° 

and  sublimes  readily  in  long  needles.  When  fused 
with  resorcinol,  fluorescein  is  produced  (see  p.  26). 

=  2H2° 


>0 
C6H3OH 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  53 

XIII.    ACID  HALIDES. 

THESE  are  pungent-smelling  liquids,  readily  con- 
verted by  water  into  the  acid,  or  by  alkali  into  the 
salt  of  the  acid. 

Acetyl  chloride,  CH3-COC1,  B.P.  55°. 

Acetyl  bromide,  B.P.  81°. 

Acetyl  iodide,  B.P.  108°. 

Propionyl  chloride,  C2H5-COC1,  B.P.  80°. 

Propionyl  bromide,  B.P.  104°. 

Propionyl  iodide,  B.P.  127-128°. 

Malonyl  chloride, 

CH2-COC1 
Succinyl   chloride,  |  ,  B.P.  190-192°. 

CH2-COC1 

Benzoyl  chloride,  C6H5-COC1,  B.P.  198°. 
Benzoyl  bromide,  B.P.  218-219°. 

Phthalyl  chloride,  C6H4,  B.P.  275°. 


XIV.    ACID  AMIDES. 

THESE  are  well  crystallized  substances  with  definite 
melting  points.  They  are,  as  a  general  rule,  less 
soluble  in  water  than  the  ammonium  salts  of  the  cor- 
responding acids.  When  heated  with  alkalies,  they 
give  ammonia  and  the  salt  of  the  acid.  With 


54  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

nitrous  acid  they  yield  nitrogen  and  the  correspond- 
ing acid. 

Acetamide,  CH3-CONH2,  M.P.  82-83°. 

Propionamide,  C2H5-CONH2,  M.P.  79°. 

Acetobromamide,  CH3-CONHBr  +  H20,  M.P.   70- 
80°,  when  boiled  with  caustic  potash  gives  potassium 
bromide,   carbon  dioxide  and  methylamine.     The 
anhydrous  compound  melts  at  108°. 
CONH2 

Oxamide,     |  ,   sublimes   on   heating.     It   is 

CONH2 

insoluble  in  water  and  in  alcohol. 

CONH2 

Oxamic  acid,  ,  M.P.  210°  with  decompo- 

COOH 

sition. 

CONH2 
Oxamethane,  ,    M.P.    114-115°,    when 

COOC2H5 

boiled  with  caustic  potash  yields  ammonia,  ethyl 
alcohol   and  potassium   oxalate. 

CH2-CONH2 
Succinamide,  |  ,at  200°  is  converted  into 

CH2-CONH2 
the  imide  and  ammonia. 

Cyanamide,  CN-NH2,  M.P.  40°,  with  copper  sul- 
phate gives  a  black  compound,  copper  cyanamide, 
CNaCu.1 

Benzamide,  C6H5-CONH2,  M.P.  128°,  is  soluble  in 
hot  water,  alcohol  and  ether. 

1  Calcium  cyanamide  CN2Ca  is  a  commercial  product. 
On  addition  of  water,  ammonia  is  evolved. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  55 


Phthalic    Diamide,    C6H4<2,     on    heating 

^UUJN±12 

changes  to  phthalimide  with  loss  of  ammonia. 


XV.     ACID  IMIDES. 

THE  imides,  like  the  acid  amides,  are  hydrolysed  by 
boiling  with  alkalies.  The  only  common  imides  are 
the  following  : — 

CH2COV 
Succinimide,    |  >>NH,  M.P.  126°. 

CH2CO/ 

Phthalimide,    C6H4<^>NH,    M.P.     233-234°. 

Alcoholic  caustic  potash  precipitates  the  potassium 

CO 
salt,  C6H4<^p^^>NK,  from  a  solution  of  phthalimide 

in  alcohol.  This  salt  is  insoluble  in  alcohol  and  ether, 
and  sparingly  soluble  in  water. 


XVI.     ACID  ANTLIDES. 

THESE  are  hydrolysed  by  heating  with  concentrated 
hydrochloric  acid  or  alkali  and  the  aniline  distilled 
with  steam  from  an  alkaline  solution.  The  acid  is 
then  identified  in  the  non-volatile  residue. 

Formanilide,   H-CONHC6H5,    melting   at   46°,    is 


56  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

readily  soluble  in  water,  alcohol  and  ether.     With 
concentrated  caustic  soda  V)lution  there  is  produced 
a  crystalline  sodium  compound,  H-CONNaC6H5. 
Aeetanilide  (antifebrin)  CH3-CONHC6H5,  M.P.lirH 

COOH 

Oxanilic  acid,  |  *H20,  M.P.  (anhydrous) 

CONHC6H5 

149-150°. 

CONHC6H5 

Oxanilide,  ,  M.P.  245°. 

CONHC6H5 

Benzanilide,  C6H5-CONHC6H5,  M.P.  161-162°. 


XVII.     ESTERS. 

THESE  are  mostly  pleasant-smelling,  volatile  liquids, 
insoluble  in  water.  .  (Methyl  oxalate  and  methyl 
tartrate  are  solids.) 

A  small  quantity  of  the  ester  is  hydrolysed  with 
10  per  cent,  alkali  solution,  under  a  reflux  condenser. 
Two-thirds  of  the  liquid  are  distilled  over,  de- 
hydrated with  potassium  carbonate  and  examined 
for  the  alcohol.  The  residue  in  the  distilling  flask 
contains  the  alkali  salt  of  the  acid. 
Formates  -methyl,  B.P.  32-5°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  54-5°. 

-propyl,  B.P.  82-83°. 

-butyl,  B.P.  107°. 

-rc-amyl,  B.P.  130-5°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  57 

Acetates  -methyl,  B.P.  57-5°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  77°. 

-propyl,  B.P.  101°. 

-butyl,  B.P.  125°. 

-isobutyl,  B.P.  116°. 

-w-amyl,  B.P.  148°. 
Glycol  monoacetate,  B.P.  182°. 
Glycol  diacetate,  B.P.  186-187°. 
Glycerol  triacetate,  B.P.  258-259°. 
Propionates-methyl,  B.P.  79-5°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  99°. 
Butyrates-methyl,  B.P.  102-3°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  120°. 
Oxalates-dimethyl,  M.P.  54°. 
-diethyl,  B.P.  186°. 
Malonates-dimethyl,  B.P.  181-182°. 

-diethyl,  B.P.  198°. 
Succinates-dimethyl,  M.P.  18°,  B.P.  195°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  216°. 
Malates-dimethyl,  B.P.  122°  at  12  mm. 

-diethyl,  B.P.  129°  at  12  mm. 

-rc-dipropyl,  B.P.  150°  at  12  mm. 

Ethereal  malates  on  heating  under  ordinary  pres- 
sure decompose  into  the  corresponding  fumarates. 

Tartrates  -dimethyl,  M.P.  48°. 

-diethyl,  B.P.  280°. 

-rc-dipropyl,  B.P.  303°. 
Benzoates  -methyl,  B.P.  199°. 

-ethyl,  B.P.  213°. 

-n-propyl,  B.P.  229°. 


58  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

Glyeol  di-benzoate,  M.P.  73°. 
Glyeerol  tri-benzoate,  M.P.   76°. 
Salicylates   -methyl,  B.P.  224°. 

-ethyl,   B.P.    231-5°.      When    distilled 
with  barium  oxide  ethyl  phenyl 
ether  is  produced, 
-phenyl  (salol),  M.P.  42-43°. 
Phthalates  -dimethyl,  B.P.   282°. 
-diethyl,  B.P.   288°. 
-diphenyl,  M.P.  70°. 

Cinnamates  -methyl,  M.P.  36°,  B.P.  260°. 
-ethyl,  B.P.  271°. 

phenyl,  M.P.  72°.  On  distillation  in 
air,  carbon  dioxide  and  stilbene 
are  formed. 


XVIII.     QUINONES. 

THESE  compounds  are  characterized  by  their  colour 
(yellow  or  red),  peculiar  odour  and  volatility  in 
steam.  With  the  exception  of  anthraquinone  and 
phenanthr  a  quinone,  they  are  readily  reduced  by 
sulphur  dioxide  to  the  corresponding  dihydric 
phenols. 

Benzoquinone  (quinone),  C6H402,  M.P.  116°,  is  solu- 
ble in  water.  With  phenol,  quinone  forms  pheno- 
quinone,  C6H402-2C6H5OH,  crystallizing  in  red 
needles,  melting  at  71°.  Phenoquinone  is  turned 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  59 

blue  by  caustic  potash,  green  by  barium  hydroxide. 
Quinone  liberates  iodine  from  potassium  iodide. 

o-Quinone  forms  bright  red  crystals.  It  has  no 
smell  and  is  not  volatile.  It  is  reduced  by  sul- 
phurous acid  to  catechol. 

a-Naphthoquinone,  C10H602,  M.P.  125°,  is  yellow  and 
on  oxidation  with  nitric  acid,  forms  phthalic  acid. 

/3-Naphthoquinone  decomposes  about  120°.  It 
crystallizes  in  red  needles.  It  is  odourless  and  non- 
volatile. 

Anthraquinone,  C14H802,  M.P.  273°,  when  treated 
with  zinc  dust  and  caustic  soda,  produces  oxanthranol, 

C6H4<C™H>C6H4,   which   is   red.     The   latter 

compound  is  easily  oxidized  on  standing  in  air, 
anthraquinone  being  again  formed. 

Phenanthraquinone,  M.P.  205°,  is  not  reduced  by 
sulphur  dioxide.  It  dissolves  in  concentrated  sul- 
phuric acid  to  a  dark  green  solution.  When  ignited 
with  zinc  dust,  phenanthraquinone  gives  phenan- 
threne.  The  monoxime  C14H80:NOH  melts  at 
158°. 

Chloranil  (tetrachlorquinone),  C6C1402,  forms 
golden-yellow  leaflets,  with  a  smell  reminiscent  of 
Harris  tweed.  It  sublimes  undecomposed.  With 
caustic  potash  it  forms  the  purple  potassium  chlor- 
anilate,  C6C12(OK)202.  By  the  addition  of  acid  to 
the  latter,  chloranilic  acid,  which  crystallizes  in 
reddish  scales,  is  liberated. 


60  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 


XIX.     CARBOHYDRATES. 

THESE  are  solids,  which,  with  the  exception  of  starch, 
are  soluble  in  water. 

d-Glucose  (dextrose),  C6H1206,H20,  M.P.  86°. 
The  anhydrous  compound  melts  at  145°.  Glucose 
reduces  Fehling's  solution.  Glucosazone  melts  at 
204-205°.  Glucose  pentabenzoate  melts  at  179°. 

PREPARATION  OF  THE  OSAZONE. — One  gram  of 
the  sugar  is  dissolved  in  5  cc.  water,  and  4  grams 
phenylhydrazine  in  5  grams  glacial  acetic  acid  are 
added.  The  solution  is  heated  on  a  water-bath  for 
about  ten  minutes,  when  the  osazone  separates  in 
yellow  crystals.  These  are  dried  and  the  melting- 
point  determined.  This  should  be  done  quickly 
as  the  osazone  decomposes  to  some  extent  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  melting-point. 

Galactose,  M.P.  163-164°.  The  osazone  melts  at 
193-194°. 

Fructose  (laevulose),  M.P.  95°.  With  phenyl- 
hydrazine it  gives  c£-glucosazone.  The  pentaben- 
zoate melts  at  78-79°. 

Cane  Sugar,  Ci2H22On,  melting  at  160°,  does  not 
reduce  Fehling's  solution.  When  boiled  with  dilute 
acids,  glucose  and  fructose  are  produced.  It  forms 
no  osazone.  With  benzoyl  chloride  it  gives  a  hexa- 
benzoate,  melting  at  109°. 

Lactose  (Milk  sugar),  Ci2H22Oii,H20,  becomes 
anhydrous  at  140°,  and  melts  with  decomposition 


OKGANIC   COMPOUNDS  61 

at  205°.  The  osazone  melts  at  200°.  Lactose 
reduces  Fehling's  solution. 

Maltose,  C^H^Oi^HaO,  loses  water  at  100°. 
When  boiled  with  dilute  acids,  glucose  is  formed. 
The  osazone  melts  at  190-191°. 

Starch  (C6H1005)n>  with  iodine  gives  a  blue  colour, 
which  disappears  on  heating.  Starch  is  hydrolysed 
by  heating  with  dilute  acids,  forming  glucose.  On 
boiling  with  water  starch  swells  up  and  partially 
dissolves. 


XX.      GLUCOSIDES. 

THESE,  on  hydrolysis  with  dilute  acids  or  alkalies, 
give  a  sugar — generally  glucose — and  other  sub- 
stances. 

Myronie  Acid,  C1oHi9OioNS2,  usually  occurs  as  the 
potassium  salt.  When  boiled  with  barium  hy- 
droxide it  is  decomposed  into  glucose,  allyl  isothio- 
cyanate  (see  p.  92)  and  potassium  hydrogen 
sulphate. 

Arbutin,  C6H4<^Hll°5  |J)  is  soluble  in  water. 

When  ferric  chloride  is  added  to  the  aqueous  solu- 
tion, the  latter  is  turned  deep  blue.  On  hydrolysis 
with  dilute  sulphuric  acid,  glucose  and  hydroquin- 
one  are  produced. 

Salicin,  C6H<OC6H^05   W,  melting  at  201°,  on 


62  THE  IDENTIFICATION   OF 

hydrolysis  gives  glucose  and  saligenin.  Con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid  produces  a  deep  red 
colour.  It  is  oxidized  by  chromic  acid  mixture  to 
carbon  dioxide,  formic  acid  and  salicyl  aldehyde. 

Amygdalin,  CaoH^OnN^HaO,  loses  water  at  120°, 
melting  at  200°  and  is  hydrolysed  by  dilute  acids 
into  glucose,  benzaldehyde  and  hydrocyanic  acid. 

Helicin,  C6H4<^6^ll0s,  fH20,  loses  water  at 

100°  and  melts  at  175°.  On  hydrolysis  with  dilute 
acids  it  gives  glucose  and  salicyl  aldehyde. 


XXL     AMINES. 

ALIPHATIC  AMINES. 

THE  lower  members  are  inflammable  gases  possessing 
an  ammoniacal  odour  and  are  readily  soluble  in 
water,  while  the  higher  members  are  liquids.  With 
acids  they  form  salts  which  are  soluble  in  water  and 
in  alcohol. 

Nitrous  Acid  converts  primary  amines  into  the  cor- 
responding alcohols,  with  evolution  of  nitrogen — 

E-NH2  +  HONO  =  R-OH  +  N2  +  H20. 

Secondary    amines    are    converted    into    yellow 
nitrosoamines — 

R2NH  +  HONO  =  R2N-NO  +  H20. 
Tertiary  amines  are  unacted  upon. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  63 

METHOD. — A  small  quantity  of  the  amine  is  dis- 
solved in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid,  care  being  taken 
that  an  excess  of  acid  is  present.  To  the  cooled 
solution,  a  solution  of  sodium  nitrite  is  added  until 
free  nitrous  acid  is  present  (starch  iodine  test). 

Primary  amines  are  also  distinguished  by  giving 
the  carbylamine  test  with  chloroform  and  alcoholic 
potash — 
R-NH2  +  CHC13  +  3KOH  =  R-NC  +  3KC1  +  3H20. 

METHOD. — About  0-1  gram  of  the  amine  is  mixed 
with  3  drops  chloroform  and  about  2  cc.  alcoholic 
potash  solution,  and  gently  heated.  A  disgusting 
smell  of  carbylamine  is  evolved. 

N.B. — The  lower  aliphatic  amines  are  usually 
met  with  as  salts. 

Methylamine  Hydroehloride,  CH3NH2-HC1,  forms 
deliquescent  crystals. 

Ethylamine,  C2H5NH2,  B.P.  18-19°.  The  hydro- 
chloride  melts  at  76-80°. 

Diethylamine,  (C2H5)2NH,  B.P.  56°.  M.P.  of  hydro- 
chloride  215-217°. 

Triethylamine,  (C2H5)3N,  B.P.  89°. 

Propylamine,  (C3H7)NH2,  B.P.  49°.     The 
chloride  melts  at  157-158°. 

Isopropylamine,  (CH3)2CHNH2,  B.P.  31-32°.  The 
hydrochloride  is  deliquescent. 

7i-Butylamine,  C4H9NH2,  B.P.  76°. 

rc-Amylamine,  CgHnNKU  B.P.  103°. 

Allylamine,  CH2 :  CH-CH2NH2.     B.P.  56°. 

Ethylenediamine,  C2H4(NH2)2,  B.P.  116°.  Nitrous 
acid  converts  it  into  ethylene  oxide. 


64  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

Tetramethylenediamine  (putrescine),  C4H8(NH2)2, 
M.P.  27-28°. 

Pentamethylene  Diamine  (cadaverine),  C5H10(NH2)2. 
B.P.  178-179°. 

AROMATIC   AMINES. 

These  are  liquids  or  solids,  and  behave  in  many 
respects  like  the  aliphatic  amines.  The  primary 
compounds  give  the  carbylamine  reaction. 

ACTION  OF  NITKOUS  ACID. — If  the  amino  group  is 
in  the  nucleus  there  are  formed  in  cold  acid  solution 
diazonium  salts,  which  on  heating  evolve  nitrogen 
and  produce  phenols.  If  to  a  solution  of  a  diazonium 
salt  /9-naphthol  in  caustic  soda  is  added,  a  coloured 
precipitate  of  an  azo-compound  appears. 

PREPARATION  OF  A  DIAZONIUM  SALT. — The  amine 
is  dissolved  in  a  large  excess  of  dilute  hydrochloric 
acid  and  cooled  in  ice-water.  Sodium  nitrite  solu- 
tion is  added  in  small  quantities  at  a  time,  the  mix- 
ture being  well  shaken  after  each  addition,  until, 
after  standing  for  a  few  minutes,  free  nitrous  acid 
can  be  detected  by  starch-iodide  paper. 

If  the  amino  group  is  in  the  side  chain,  no  diazon- 
ium salt  is  formed,  and  the  amine  behaves  like  the 
aliphatic  compounds. 

With  secondary  aromatic  amines,  nitroso-deriva- 
tives  are  formed,  as  in  the  case  of  aliphatic  com- 
pounds. 

Dialkylanilines  with  nitrous  acid  form  para- 
nitroso  compounds,  the  free  bases  of  which  are 
usually  green,  while  the  hydrochlorides  are  orange- 
coloured. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  65 

To  completely  identify  an  aromatic  amine,  its 
acetyl  compound  is  prepared  and  its  melting-point 
determined. 

METHOD. — To  1  gram  of  the  amine  is  added  1  gram 
acetic  anhydride.  The  solid  acetyl  compound 
usually  separates  immediately.  It  is  recrystallized 
from  water  or  alcohol  and  its  melting-point  taken. 

Aniline,  C6H5NH2,  B.P.  182-183°.  A  chip  of 
pine  wood  dipped  first  in  hydrochloric  acid  and  then 
in  aniline,  is  turned  yellow.  Bleaching  powder 
solution,  when  shaken  with  aniline  becomes  violet. 
On  diazotizing  and  warming,  aniline  is  converted 
into  phenol.  Acetanilide  melts  at  112°. 

Methylaniline,  C6H5NHCH3,  B.P.  193-194°,  forms 
a  nitroso-derivative,  C6H5NCH3-NO,  M.P.  12-15°. 
The  acetyl  derivative  melts  at  101-102°. 

Dimethylaniline,  C6H5N(CH3)2,  boils  at  195°.  The 
para-nitroso  compound,  which  can  be  separated  from 
its  salts  by  means  of  sodium  carbonate  and  extrac- 
tion with  ether,  forms  green  crystals  of  metallic 
appearance,  melting  at  85°. 

Ethylaniline,  C6H5NHC2H6,  B.P.  206°.  The  acetyl 
derivative  melts  at  54*5°. 

Diethylaniline,  C6H5N(C2H6)2,  B.P.  213-214°. 
p-Nitroso-compound  M.P.  84°. 

Diphenylamine,  (C6H5)2NH,  melts  at  54°  and  has  a 
pleasant  odour.  The  nitroso-derivative  melts  at 
66-5°. 

Triphenylamine,  (C6H5)3N,  M.P.  127°.  With  con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid,  there  is  produced  a  violet 
colouration,  which  changes  to  green. 


66  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 

pro 

o-Toluidine,  C6H4<^3 ,   boils   at    197°.      Ferric 

chloride  precipitates  a  blue  compound  from  its  solu- 
tion in  hydrochloric  acid.  The  acetyl  compound 
melts  at  110°. 

ra-Toluidine,  B.P.  202°.  The  acetyl  compound 
melts  at  65°. 

p-Toluidine,  M.P.  45°.  The  melting  point  of  the 
acetyl  compound  is  153°. 

a-Naphthylamine,  C10H7NH2,  M.P.  50°.  On  oxida- 
tion with  chromic  acid,  a-naphthaquinone  is  pro- 
duced. 

/3-Naphthylamine,  M.P.  111-112°.  Potassium  per- 
manganate oxidizes  it  to  phthalic  acid. 

Benzylamine,  C6H5-CH2NH2,  B.P.  183-185°  is 
strongly  alkaline. 

o-Phenylenediamine,C6H4<^2,M.P.  102°.   When 

ferric  chloride  is  added  to  the  hydrochloric  acid 
solution,  a  dark  red  colouration  is  produced,  and 
there  quickly  separate  red  needles  of  diamido- 

phenazine  C6H4<^>C6H2  (NH2)2.     The  di-acetyl 

compound  of  o-phenylenediamine  melts  at  185-186°. 
m-Phenylenediamine,  M.P.  63°.     Dilute  nitrous  acid 
produces  a  brown  colouration  owing  to  the  formation 
NH2 

M"  ,NH2 
i       i 
N  •  N  —  I 

NH3 


OEGANIC  COMPOUNDS  67 

p-Phenylenediamine,  M.P.  147°.  When  about  0-1 
gram  is  dissolved  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  and  a 
little  sulphuretted  hydrogen  water  added  along  with 
a  few  drops  of  ferric  chloride  solution,  and  the  mix- 
ture warmed,  there  appears  a  deep  violet  colouration 
(the  so-called  Lauth  violet), 

HN  =  /        \   =N  - 


Benzidine,  NH2C6H4-C6H4NH2  melting  at  122°, 
forms  silvery  leaflets,  easily  soluble  in  hot  water  and 
alcohol.  The  sulphate  is  insoluble  in  water. 


HALOGEN  AMINES. 

pi 
o-Chloroaniline,     C6H4<^H  ,  B.P.     207°.       The 

acetyl  compound  melts  at  87-88°. 

m-Chloroaniline,  B.P.  230°.  M.P.  of  acetyl  com- 
pound, 72-5°. 

p-Chloroaniline,  M.P.  70°.  M.P.  of  acetyl  com- 
pound, 172-5°. 

o-Bromoaniline,  GsH4<^g  ,  M.P.  31°.     M.P.  of 

acetyl  compound,  99°. 

ra-Bromoaniline,  M.P.  18°,  B.P.  251°.  M.P.  of 
acetyl  compound,  87'  5°. 

23-Bromoaniline,  M.P.  63°.  M.P.  of  acetyl  com- 
pound, 167-168°. 


68  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

Cl 
Sym.      Trichloroaniline,      NH2/ \  Cl,    M.P. 

Cl 
77-5°.     M.P.  of  acetyl  compound,  204°. 

Sym.    Tribromoaniline,    M.P.    119-120°.     M.P.   of 
acetyl  compound,  232°. 


XXII.     NITRO-COMPOUNDS. 

ALIPHATIC  NITRO-COMPOUNDS. 

THESE  are   agreeably-smelling    liquids,    soluble   in 
water.     Many  of  them  dissolve  in  alkalies. 

ACTION  OF  NITROUS  ACID.  —  With  a  primary  ali- 
phatic nitro-compound  nitrous  acid  produces  a  red 
colouration  due  to  the  formation  of  a  nitrolic  acid. 


K-CH2N02  +  HONO=  R-C<          +H20. 

The  potassium  salt  is  red. 

With  a  secondary  compound  there  is  produced  a 
dark  blue  colouration,  a  pseudo-nitrol  being  formed  — 
R2CHN02  +  HONO  =  !^C<2  +  H20. 


Tertiary  compounds  are  unacted  upon  by  nitrous 
acid. 

METHOD.  —  A  small  quantity  of  the  compound  is 
shaken  in  a  test-tube  with  sufficient  caustic  soda  to 
form  a  clear  solution.  A  few  drops  of  a  solution  of 
sodium  nitrite  are  added  and  finally  dilute  sulphuric 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  69 

acid  drop  by  drop.  In  the  case  of  a  primary  com- 
pound excess  of  acid  destroys  the  red  colouration, 
which,  however,  is  restored  by  addition  of  caustic 
soda. 

REDUCTION. — Nitro-compounds  are  readily  re- 
duced to  amines. 

METHOD. — A  few  pieces  of  granulated  zinc  are 
placed  on  a  test-tube  and  covered  with  caustic  potash 
solution.  Two  cc.  of  the  nitro-compound  are  intro- 
duced and  the  mixture  warmed.  The  amine  will 
be  observed  by  its  smell  and  its  action  on  red  litmus 
paper. 

Nitromethane,  CH3N02,  B.P.  101°.  Alcoholic 
caustic  soda  precipitates  the  sodium  compound, 
CH2:NO2Na.  Concentrated  hydrochloric  acid  de- 
composes it  with  formation  of  formic  acid. 

Nitroethane,  C2H5N02,  B.P.  114-115°.  Concen- 
trated hydrochloric  acid  converts  it  into  acetic  acid. 

Nitropropane,  C3H7N02,  B.P.  130-131°. 

Tertiary  Nitrobutane,  (CH3)3-CN02,  is  crystalline, 
melting  at  24°.  It  is  insoluble  in  alkalies. 

AROMATIC  NITRO-COMPOUNDS. 

These  are  generally  yellow  oils  or  solids,  insoluble 
in  water,  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  or  dilute  caustic 
soda  solution.  Di-nitro  and  tri-nitro  compounds 
impart  a  deep  yellow  colour  to  caustic  soda  solution . 

They  are  reduced  to  amines  by  acid  reducing 
agents. 

METHOD. — A  small  quantity  of  the  nitro-compound 


70  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

is  treated  with  zinc  dust  and  hydrochloric  acid,  heat 
being  applied  if  necessary.  The  mixture  is  diluted 
and  rendered  alkaline  with  caustic  soda.  It  is  then 
extracted  with  ether  and  the  amine  identified. 

Nitrobenzene,  C6H5N02,  B.P.  209°,  is  a  yellow  oil 
with  an  odour  of  bitter  almonds.  On  reduction  it 
yields  aniline. 

o-Nitrotoluene,  C6H4<^3,  boils  at  218°.     It  gives 

o-toluidine  on  reduction. 

ra-Nitrotoluene,  melts  at  16°,  and  boils  at  230-231°. 
p-Nitrotoluene,  M.P.  54°. 

o-Dinitrobenzene,    C6H4<^°2,  M.P.  117-118°.    On 

reduction  it  gives  o-phenylenediamine. 

m-Dinitrobenzene,  M.P.   91°. 

p-Dinitrobenzene,  M.P.  171-172°. 

a-Nitronaphthalene,  Ci0H7N02,  melting  at  61°,  on 
reduction  yields  a-naphthylamine  and  with  chromic 
acid  is  oxidized  to  nitrophthalic  acid. 

/3-Nitronaphthalene,  M.P.  79°,  gives  on  reduction 
/3-naphthylamine . 


NITROPHENOLS. 

These   compounds,    on   reduction   with   tin   and 
hydrochloric  acid,  yield  aminophenols. 

o-Nitrophenol,  C6H4<^2,  melting  at  44°,  has  an 
intense  yellow  colour  and  a  peculiar  odour.      It  is 


OKGANIC  COMPOUNDS  71 

easily  volatile  in  steam.  The  sodium  salt  gives  a 
red  solution  in  water. 

ra-Nitrophenol,  M.P.  96°,  forms  sulphur-yellow 
crystals. 

p-Nitrophenol,  M.P.  114°,  forms  colourless  needles 
which  turn  pink  on  exposure  to  air.     The  potassium 
salt  is  yellow.     Phosphorus  pentachloride  converts 
the  phenol  into  p-chloronitrobenzene,  M.P.  83°. 
OH 

N°2'M.P.  122-123°  forms 

NO  2 

yellow  leaflets  soluble  in  hot  water.  With  aromatic 
hydrocarbons  crystalline  molecular  compounds  are 
obtained  (see  Naphthalene,  p.  17).  When  picric 
acid  is  warmed  with  a  concentrated  solution  of  potas- 
sium cyanide,  a  dark  red  solution  of  isopurpuric  acid 
is  produced. 

NITROKETONES. 

o-Nitroaeetophenone,  C6H4N02CO-CH3,  is  an  oil  with 
a  peculiar  smell.  It  is  oxidized  by  potassium  per- 
manganate to  o-nitrobenzoic  acid. 

m-Nitroacetophenone  forms  needles  melting  at  80- 
81°.  The  oxime  melts  at  131°. 

23-Nitroacetophenone,  crystallizes  in  yellow  prisms, 
melting  at  80-81°. 

NITROANILINES. 

These  are  solids,  yellow  or  orange  in  colour.     They 


72  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

have  basic  properties  and  are  soluble  in  acids.  On 
reduction  with  tin  and  hydrochloric  acid  the 
corresponding  diamines  are  produced. 

o-Nitroaniline,C6H4<^jj2,  crystallizes  in  orange- 
yellow  needles,  melting  at  71°.  When  boiled 
with  alkali  it  loses  ammonia  with  production  of 
o-nitrophenol.  The  acetyl  derivative  melts  at  92°. 

m-Nitroaniline,  melting  at  114°,  forms  yellow 
needles  and  is  not  acted  on  by  alkali.  The  acetyl 
compound  melts  at  150°. 

p-Nitroaniline,  M.P.  147°,  is  decomposed  by  boiling 
alkali   solution   into   ammonia   and   ^-nitrophenol. 
The  acetyl  compound  melts  at  207°. 
NH2 

Picramide,  2      ,     forms     orange-red 

N02 

needles  melting  at  188°.  When  heated  with  alkali, 
alkali  picrate  is  formed,  and  ammonia  is  evolved. 


XXIII.     NITROSO-COMPOUNDS. 

Nitrosobenzene,   C6H5NO,  M.P.  68°,  when  fused  or 
in  solution  has  an  intense  greenish-blue  colour. 

^-Nitrosoaniline,    C6H4<^Tr   >    forms     steel-blue 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  73 

needles,  melting  at  174°.     On  boiling  with  caustic 
soda,  it  forms  ammonia  and  p-nitrosophenol. 


p-Nitrosophenol,    C§H«<,  M.P.  126°,  is  slightly 


soluble  in  water,  giving  a  light  green  solution.  It 
is  reduced  by  tin  and  hydrochloric  acid  to  p-amino- 
phenol.  Concentrated  nitric  acid  oxidizes  it  to 
£>-nitrophenol. 


Methyl-p-nitrosoaniline,    C<nrnt   /       forms 

^ 


large  crystals  with  metallic  lustre,  M.P.  118°.  When 
boiled  with  caustic  soda  solution,  it  is  decomposed 
into  nitrosophenol  and  methylamine. 

°6H<NHCH3  +H2°  =  C6 
p-Nitrosodimethylaniline,    C6H4<^;TT  x  ,    forms 


green  crystals,  melting  at  85°.  The  hydrochloride  is 
yellow  and  is  soluble  with  difficulty  in  water.  Dilute 
caustic  soda  solution  on  warming  decomposes  the 
base  into  ^-nitrosophenol  and  dimethylamine.  It 
does  not  give  Liebermann's  nitroso  reaction. 

a-Nitrosonaphthol  (a-naphthoquinone  oxime), 
Ci0H6(OH)(NO)  1  :  4,  forms  needles  melting  with 
decomposition  at  193-194°. 

/3-Nitrosonaphthol  (/3-naphthoquinone  oxime), 
C10H6(OH)(NO)  1  :  2,  crystallizes  in  yellowish-green 
needles,  melting  with  decomposition  at  152°.  It 
dissolves  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  with  an 
intense  red  colour.  When  a  neutral  solution  of  the 


74  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

sodium  salt  of  /3-nitroso-naphthol  is  added  to  a  cobalt 
salt  solution,  a  brown-red  precipitate  is  formed. 


XXIV.        NITRILES    AND     ISONI- 
TRILES. 

THE  nitriles  are  liquids  or  solids  of  low  melting-point, 
and  have  an  agreeable  odour.  When  boiled  with 
strong  mineral  acids  they  are  hydrolysed  into  the 
corresponding  acids — 

CH3-CN  +  2H20  =  CHs'COOH  +  NH3 
With  nascent  hydrogen  they  are  reduced  to  amines. 
CHs-CN  +  4H=CH3-CH2NH2. 

HYDROLYSIS  OF  NITRILES. — Two  cc.  of  the  sub- 
stance are  boiled  for  some  time  with  about  20  cc. 
concentrated  hydrochloric  acid.  The  liquid  is  then 
rendered  alkaline  with  caustic  soda  and  heated. 

The  residual  liquid  is  tested  for  the  fatty  acid. 

REDUCTION  OF  NITRILES. — One  cc.  of  the  sub- 
stance is  treated  with  10  cc.  dilute  hydrochloric  acid 
and  a  little  zinc  dust.  The  solution  is  rendered 
alkaline  with  caustic  soda,  and  the  amine  identified. 

Acetonitrile,  CH3'CN.  is  a  colourless  liquid,  boiling 
at  81-82°. 

Benzonitrile,  C6H5-CN,  B.P.  191°,  is  an  oil  with  the 
odour  of  bitter  almonds. 

Isonitriles  or  Carbylamines  are  not  usually  met  with 
unless  in  testing  for  primary  amines.  They  are 


ORGANIC  COMPOUND  (,  75 

liquids  possessing  a  disgusting  odour.  On  hydro- 
lysis with  acids  they  yield  formic  acid  and  an 
amine. 

R-N^C  +  2H20=R-NH2  +H-COOH. 


XXV.     ISOCYANATES. 

THESE  are  liquids,  which,  when  digested  with  caustic 
potash  yield  primary  amines  and  potassium  carbon- 
ate, and  with  acids,  a  salt  of  a  primary  amine  and 
carbon  dioxide — 

R-N:C:0  +H20  =RN-H2  +C02. 

Methyl  Isocyanate,  B.P.  44°. 
Ethyl  Isocyanate,  B.P.  60°. 
Allyl  Isocyanate,  B.P.  82°. 
Phenyl  Isocyanate,  B.P.  165-166°. 


XXVI.     UREAS  AND  UREIDES. 

WHEN  ureas  and  alkyl  ureas  are  digested  with  caustic 
soda  solution  sodium  carbonate  remains,  while 
from  the  former  ammonia  is  evolved,  from  the  latter 
amines.  In  the  case  of  ureides,  ammonia  or  amines 
may  be  given  off,  and  the  residue  consists  of  sodium 
carbonate  and  the  sodium  salt  of  the  acid  of  the 
ureide. 


76  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

CO^2  +  2NaOH  =  Na2C03  +2NH3. 
-\JN-ti2 

+  2NaOH=Na2C03+CH3.NH2+NH3 


CO—  NH  COONa 

|         >CO  +  4NaOH  =  Na2C03  +  + 

CO—  NH  COONa 

2NH3 

Urea,  CONH2,  M.P.  132-133°,  is  a  colourless  solid; 


When  treated  with  nitrous  acid  it  is  decomposed 
into  nitrogen  and  carbon  dioxide  — 

CO(NH2)2  +  2HONO  =  C02  +  2N2  +  3H20. 
With  a  solution  of  sodium  hypobromite  it  gives  the 
same  decomposition  products  — 
CO(NH2)2  +  3NaBrO  =C02  +  3NaBr+N2+  2H20. 

BIURET  REACTION.  —  When  urea  is  heated  above  its 
melting-point,  ammonia  is  evolved  and  a  residue  of 
biuret  remains  — 

2CO(NH2)2  =  NH3  +  NH2-CO-NH-CO-NH2. 

When  the  biuret  is  dissolved  in  water  and  copper 
sulphate  added  and  then  caustic  potash  drop  by 
drop,  a  violet  colouration  appears. 


Methylurea,  CO  ,    crystallizes    in    prisms, 


melting  at  102°.  On  heating  for  some  time  it  decom- 
poses into  ammonia,  methylamine  and  the  dimethyl 
ester  of  cyanuric  acid,  which  melts  at  222°. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  77 


Ethylurea,  CO  ,  melts  at  92°.     It  decom- 


poses  on  heating,  into  ammonia,  ethylamine  and 
the  diethyl  ester  of  cyanuric  acid,  M.P.  173°. 

CO—  NH 

Parabanic    Acid    (Oxalylurea),     |         ^>CO,      on 

CO—  NH 

heating  with  caustic  potash  solution  gives  potassium 
oxalate,  potassium  carbonate  and  ammonia. 


Barbituric  Acid  (Malonylurea  )  ,  CO          ^>CH  2  ,     on 


heating  with  caustic  potash  solution  yields  potassium 
malonate,  potassium  carbonate  and  ammonia. 


Alloxan(Mesoxalylurea),CO  ^>CO,   has   an 


acid  reaction.  Ferrous  sulphate  gives  a  deep  blue 
colour  to  the  solution.  When  alloxan  is  boiled  with 
dilute  nitric  acid,  it  is  decomposed  into  parabanic 
acid  and  carbon  dioxide. 


Guanidine,    CNH,        is    a    deliquescent    strongly 


basic  substance.  The  nitrate,  M.P.  214°,  dissolves 
with  difficulty  in  water.  When  boiled  with  alkalies, 
guanidine  is  decomposed  giving  ammonia  and  alkali 
carbonate. 


78  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 


XXVII.     URIC   ACID  GROUP. 


NH  -CO 
C- 


Uric  Acid,  CO         C-NH 

NH 


|  ||  CO,   is    insoluble    in 

NH  -  C- 


alcohol,   and  practically  insoluble  in  water. 

1.  When   the    acid    is    heated   with    soda   lime 
ammonia  is  evolved. 

2.  MUREXIDE  TEST.  —  A  small  quantity  of  the  acid 
is  moistened  with  concentrated  nitric  acid,  and  the 
mixture  evaporated  to  dryness  in  a  porcelain  basin 
on  a  water-bath.     There  remains  a  reddish  residue, 
which    on    addition    of    dilute   ammonia    solution 
changes  to  purple  red,  while  alkali  produces  a  violet 
colouration. 

3.  Fehling's  solution  is  reduced  by  uric  acid. 

4.  If  a  little  of  the  acid  be  dissolved  in  a  drop  of 
caustic  soda  solution  and  this  placed  on  filter  paper 
which  has  been  moistened  with  a  solution  of  silver 
nitrate,   a   dark   brown   spot   of   metallic   silver    is 
immediately  produced. 

5.  On    dry    distillation,    uric     acid    decomposes 
without   melting,  giving  off  ammonia   and  hydro- 
cyanic acid, 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  79 

NH-CO 

Xanthine,  CO       C  —  NHV  is    a    colourless 

I           II  >CH 

NH  -C N/^ 

powder,  soluble  with  difficulty  in  water,  but  very 
easily  soluble  in  alkalies. 

When  a  small  quantity  of  xanthine  is  warmed  with 
freshly-made  chlorine  water  and  a  trace  of  nitric 
acid  until  evolution  of  gas  ceases,  the  solution 
then  carefully  evaporated  to  dryness,  and  the  solid 
exposed  to  ammonia  gas,  a  rose-red  colour  is  pro- 
duced. 

If  xanthine  be  evaporated  with  nitric  acid  (Sp. 
Gr.  1  -4),  the  residue  is  yellow.  On  addition  of  caustic 
potash  it  becomes  yellowish  red,  and  on  warming 
violet-red. 

CH3N  -  CO 

Caffeine,  CO      C  -  NCH3  M.P.  226-229°, 

I         li         \CH  , 
CH3N  -  C-N/" 

is  fairly  soluble  in  water  and  in  alcohol. 

When  evaporated  with  concentrated  nitric  acid 
it  gives  the  murexide  test  (see  Uric  Acid). 

When  caffeine  is  evaporated  with  chlorine  water, 
it  leaves  a  purple  red  residue,  which  on  strongly 
heating  becomes  yellow,  but  on  addition  of  ammonia 
is  changed  to  red. 


80  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

XXVIII.    HALOGEN  COMPOUNDS. 

ALIPHATIC. 

THE  alkyl  halides  are  liquids  which  have  a  high 
specific  gravity,  and  are  practically  insoluble  in 
water.  They  are  hydrolysed  to  the  corresponding 
alcohols  by  warming  with  an  excess  of  alkali 
solution. 

Ethyl  bromide,  C2H5Br,  B.P.  39°. 

Ti-Propyl  bromide,  C3H7Br,  B.P.  71°. 

Isopropyl  bromide,  CH3-CHBr.CH3,  B.P.  59-60°. 

Methyl  iodide,  B.P.  43°. 

Ethyl  iodide,  B.P.  72°. 

Propyl  iodide,  B.P.  102°. 

Isopropyl  iodide,  B.P.  89-5°. 

Allyl  chloride,  CH2  :  CH-CH2C1,  B.P.  46°,  has  a 
leek-like  odour. 

Allyl  bromide,  B.P.  70-71°. 

Allyl  iodide,  B.P.  102-103°. 

Methylene  iodide,  CH2I2,  boils  at  180°  with  partial 
decomposition. 

Ethylene  chloride,  CH2C1-CH2C1,  B.P.  84°. 

Ethylene  bromide,  B.P.  131-132°. 

Ethylene  iodide,  melts  at  81-82°. 

Chloroform,  CHC13,  B.P.  61 -5°,  is  a  colourless 
non-inflammable  liquid.  When  boiled  with  alco- 
holic caustic  potash,  potassium  formate  and  potas- 
sium chloride  are  formed — 

OHC13  +  4KOH  =  H-COOK  +  3KC1  +  2H30, 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  81 

The  carbylamine  test  may  also  be  applied  (see 
page  11). 

Bromoform,  CHBr3,  B.P.  151°. 

lodoform,  CHI3,  M.P.  119-120°,  crystallizes  in 
brilliant  yellow  leaflets  of  a  characteristic  odour. 

Carbon  tetrachloride,  CC14,  B.P.  76-77°,  is  a  pleasant 
smelling  liquid.  When  treated  with  zinc  and 
hydrochloric  acid,  it  is  reduced  to  chloroform. 
On  heating  with  alcoholic  potash  it  is  decomposed 
into  potassium  carbonate  and  potassium  chloride. 

CC14  +  6KOH  =  K2C03  +  4KC1  +  3H20. 

AROMATIC  HALOGEN  COMPOUNDS 

are  divided  into  two  classes  : — 

1.  True  aromatic  halogen  compounds,  i.e.  those 
with  the  halogen  attached  to  the  benzene  nucleus. 

2.  Those  with  the  halogen  in  the  side  chain. 
The   members   of   the   first   class   are   colourless 

liquids  or  solids,  with  a  faint,  agreeable  odour. 
They  are  insoluble  in  water,  but  readily  soluble 
in  the  other  common  solvents.  They  easily  form 
nitro-derivatives.  Caustic  alkali  does  not  readily 
remove  the  halogen  from  these  compounds. 

Monochlorobenzene,  C6H5C1,  B.P.  132°. 

o-Dichlorobenzene,  C6H4C12,  B.P.  179°. 

ra-Dichlorobenzene,  B.P.  172°. 

p-Diehlorobenzene,  M.P.  53°. 

Monobromobenzene,  C6H5Br,$B.P.  156-157°. 

o-Dibromobenzene,  C6H4Br2,  B.P.  224°. 

w-Dibromobenzene,  B.P.  219°. 

G 


82  THE   IDENTIFICATION   OF 

p-Dibromobenzene,  M.P.  89°. 
lodobenzene,  C6H5I,  B.P.  188°. 

o-Chlorotoluene,  CeH^™3 ,  B.P.  156°. 

ra-Chlorotoluene,  B.P.  150°. 
p-Chlorotoluene,  B.P.  163°. 

o-Bromotoluene,  C6H4<^3 ,  B.P.  181°. 

ra-Bromotoluene,  B.P.  183-184°. 
p-Bromotoluene,  M.P.  28-29°. 
a-Chloronaphthalene,  C10H7C1,  B.P.  263°. 
/3-Chloronaphthalene,  M.P.  56°,  B.P.  265°. 

The  compounds  with  halogen  in  the  side  chain 
behave  like  aliphatic  halogen  compounds. 

Benzyl  chloride,  C6H5-CH2C1,  B.P.  175°,  when 
boiled  with  a  solution  of  copper  nitrate,  benzaldehyde 
is  formed — 

2C6H5-CH2C1  +Cu(N03)2  =  2C6H5-CHO  +  CuCl2  + 
2HN02. 

Benzal  chloride  (benzylidene  chloride ),  C6H5-CHC12, 
B.P.  206°,  forms  benzaldehyde,  when  heated  with 
milk  of  lime — 

C6H5.CHCl2+Ca(OH)2=C6H5.CHO+CaCl2+H20. 

Benzotrichloride,  C6H5-CC13,  B.P.  2 13°,  on  heating 
with  milk  of  lime,  gives  calcium  benzoate — 

2C6H5.CC13  +4Ca(OH)2  =  (C6H5-COO)2Ca  + 
3CaCl2  +  4H20. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  83 


XXIX.    AZO  COMPOUNDS. 

THESE  compounds  are  coloured  solids,  which   on 
reduction  produce  amino  compounds. 

C6H5N:NC6H5  +  4H  =  C6H5NH2  +  C6H5NH2. 

azobenzene 


p-amidoazobenzene  p-phenylenediamine 

C6H5N:NC6H4OH+4H  =  C6H5NH2+C6H4NH2OH 

p-oxyazobenzene  p-aminophenol 

S03HC6H4N  :  NC6H4N(CH3)2  +  4H  = 

Helianthine 

S03HC6H4NH2  +  NH2C6H4N(CH3)2 

Sulphanilic  acid  p-amido-dimethylaniline 

METHOD  OF  REDUCTION.  —  About  3  grams  of  the 
compound  are  warmed  with  zinc  dust  and  water 
until  the  colour  has  disappeared.  The  mixture  is 
then  extracted  with  ether  and  the  ethereal  solution 
evaporated  to  dryness.  The  residue  may  be  :  — 

1.  A  mixture  of  two  amines. 

2.  A  mixture  of  an  amine  and  an  aminophenol. 

3.  A  mixture  of  an  amine  and  an  aminosulphonic 
acid. 

MIXTURE  OF  Two  AMINES.  —  The  residue  of  liquid 
is  distilled  and  the  first  and  last  fractions  treated 
with  acetic  anhydride.  The  acetyl  compounds 
thus  formed  are  then  identified  by  their  melting 
points. 

MIXTURE  OF  AN  AMINE  AND  AN  AMINOPHENOL.  — 
The  aminophenol  is  extracted  from  the  mixture  with 
alkali. 


84  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

MIXTURE  OF  AN  AMINE  AND  AN  AMINOSTJLPHONIC 
ACID.  —  The  mixture  is  neutralized  with  alkali,  the 
amine  extracted  with  ether,  and  identified.  The 
aminosulphonic  acid  is  liberated  by  adding  hydro- 
chloric acid  to  the  alkali  salt. 

Azobenzene,  C6H5N  :  NC6H5,  M.P.  68°,  is  easily 
soluble  in  alcohol.  When  treated  with  tin  and 
hydrochloric  acid,  benzidine  is  produced. 

p-Aminoazobenzene,  C6H5N  :  NC6H4NH2,  forms 
yellow  leaflets  melting  at  125-126°.  It  is  oxidized 
by  sulphuric  acid  and  manganese  dioxide  with 
formation  of  quinone.  The  hydrochloride  crystal- 
lizes in  steel-blue  needles.  The  acetyl  derivative 
melts  at  142°. 


Diaminoazobenzene,    C6H5N  : 


forms  yellow  needles,  M.P.  117°.  On  reduction  it 
yields  aniline  and  triaminobenzene,  M.P.  132°. 
The  hydrochloride  of  diaminoazobenzene  is  known 
as  ehrysoidine. 

Triaminoazobenzene,   NH2C6H,N:NC6H3<^2,(^, 

JN±l2(4:) 

M.P.  143°. 

Helianthine,  S03HC6H4N  :  NC6H4N(CH3)2,  forms 
glistening  violet  leaflets.  On  reduction  it  yields 
sulphanilic  acid  and  p-amino-dimethylaniline,  M.P. 
41°.  The  sodium  salt  is  known  as  Methyl  Orange. 

The  following,  which  are  related  to  the  azo- 
compounds,  should  also  be  mentioned. 

Hydrazobenzene,  C6H5NH  -NHC6H5,  M.P.  131°, 
forms  colourless  leaflets,  which  are  insoluble  in  water. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  85 

If  its  alcoholic  solution  be  exposed  to  air,  azo- 
benzene  is  produced.  Powerful  reducing  agents 
decompose  it  into  aniline. 

Azoxybenzene,  C6H5N  —  NC6H5,  crystallizes  in  long 

\/ 
0 

yellow  needles,  M.P.  36°.  It  is  insoluble  in  water. 
On  distillation  it  decomposes  into  azobenzene  and 
aniline. 

Diazoaminobenzene,  C6H5N  :  N-NHC6H5,   melts  at 
96°  and  explodes  at  higher  temperatures. 


XXX.     PYRIDINE  AND 
QUINOLINE  GROUP. 

Pyridine,  C5H5N,  B.P.  116°,  has  a  strong  char- 
acteristic odour,  and  is  miscible  in  all  proportions 
with  water,  alcohol  and  ether.  It  forms  salts  with 
acids.  On  reduction  with  sodium  and  alcohol, 
piperidine  is  produced. 

Piperidine,  CsH^N,  B.P.  106°,  is  a  colourless  liquid 
with  a  characteristic  odour.  It  is  miscible  with 
water,  alcohol  and  ether.  It  is  a  secondary  amine. 

Quinoline,  C9H7N,  B.P.  239°,  is  sparingly  soluble 
in  water.  The  hydrochloride  is  crystalline.  With 
methyl  iodide  quinoline  forms  a  yellow  crystalline 
compound  melting  at  72°. 


86  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

XXXI.     ALKALOIDS. 

THE  alkaloids  are  nearly  all  solids,  easily  soluble  in 
alcohol,  soluble  with  difficulty  in  ether,  chloroform 
and  benzene,  and  sparingly  soluble  or  insoluble  in 
water.  Most  are  optically  active,  generally  laevo- 
rotatory.  They  dissolve  readily  in  dilute  acids 
with  formation  of  salts,  from  which  the  alkaloid  is 
precipitated  on  addition  of  an  alkali.  Morphine, 
however,  is  soluble  in  excess  of  sodium  hydroxide. 
The  following  reactions  are  given  by  almost  all 
the  alkaloids  : — 

1.  When  an  alkaloid  is  heated  in  a  dry  test-tube, 
decomposition  takes  place  with  production  of  a 
smell  like  burning  feathers. 

2.  A  solution  of  iodine  in  potassium  iodide  pro- 
duces a  brown  flocculent  precipitate  in  solutions 
of  salts  of  the  alkaloids,  best  when  acidified  with 
dilute  sulphuric  acid. 

3.  Phosphomolybdic    acid l    produces    a    yellow 
precipitate  in  solutions  of  all  the  alkaloids.     The 
precipitate  is  soluble  in  alkalies  and  alkaline  car- 
bonates. 

4.  Potassium  mercuric  iodide  2  produces  a  white 
or  yellowish  white  precipitate  in  solutions  of  salts 
of    alkaloids.     The    precipitates    are    insoluble    in 
dilute  hydrochloric  acid. 

5.  Aqueous  solutions  of  tannic  acid  and  of  picric 
acid  precipitate  all  or  nearly  all  the  alkaloids  from 
solutions  of  their  salts. 

1  See  Appendix.  2  See  Appendix. 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  87 

CH3 

CH  N 

XX 


HC      C HC        CJ 

Nicotine,    ||                        |  is    a    colour- 

HC       CH  H2C CH2, 

\  y 

N 

less  oil  with  an  unpleasant  smell,  B.P.  247°. 

Picric  acid  produces  an  amorphous  precipitate 
which  readily  crystallizes  in  small  yellow  needles 
melting  at  218°. 

Quinine,  when  anhydrous  melts  at  177°.  The 
normal  salts  are  sparingly  soluble,  the  acid  salts 
very  soluble. 

Solutions  of  quinine  salts,  when  acidified  with 
sulphuric  acid  show  a  fine  blue  fluorescence. 

Concentrated  sulphuric  acid  dissolves  the  alkaloid 
to  a  colourless  solution,  which  on  heating  turns 
brown  and  yellow. 

When  a  solution  of  a  quinine  salt  is  mixed  with 
one-fifth  of  its  volume  of  chlorine  water  and  then 
with  an  excess  of  ammonia,  an  emerald  green 
colour  is  produced.  If  a  little  potassium  ferro- 
cyanide  solution  be  added  after  the  chlorine  water 
and  then  a  few  drops  of  ammonia,  the  solution 
becomes  deep  red  in  colour. 

Cinehonine,  M.P.  250°. 

When  chlorine  water  and  an  excess  of  ammonia 
are  added  to  a  solution  of  a  cinchonine  salt,  a 
yellowish  white  precipitate  is  formed. 


88  THE  IDENTIFICATION   OF 

When  potassium  ferrocyanide  is  added  to  a 
neutral  or  slightly  acid  solution  of  a  cinchonine 
salt,  a  yellowish  white  flocculent  precipitate  is 
produced. 

When  chlorine  water  is  added  drop  by  drop  to  a 
solution  of  a  brucine  salt,  there  is  produced  a  red 
colouration  which  is  destroyed  by  excess  of  chlorine. 

Strychnine,  M.P.  284°. 

If  a  crystal  of  potassium  dichromate  be  stirred 
in  a  solution  of  the  alkaloid  in  concentrated  sul- 
phuric acid,  there  appears  a  fine  blue  colour,  which 
changes  successively  to  violet,  red  and  reddish 
yellow. 

Potassium  ferricyanide  and  also  potassium  chro- 
mate  produce  yellow  crystalline  precipitates  in 
neutral  and  fairly  concentrated  solutions  of  strych- 
nine salts. 

Brucine,  when  anhydrous  melts  at  178°. 

The  solution  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  has 
at  first  a  rose-red  colour,  which  changes  to  yellow. 

Concentrated  nitric  acid  dissolves  brucine  and 
its  salts  giving  an  intensely  red  solution,  which, 
when  warmed,  turns  yellow.  If  stannous  chloride 
be  added  to  this  yellow  solution,  an  intense  violet 
colouration  is  produced. 

Morphine  is  soluble  in  dilute  acids  and  in  alkalies. 
Its  salts  dissolve  easily  in  water  and  alcohol. 

The  addition  of  concentrated  nitric  acid  to  the 
solid  alkaloid  or  a  salt  causes  a  yellowish  red  colour 
to  appear. 

When    ammonium    molybdate    in    concentrated 

I 


ORGANIC   COMPOUNDS  89 

sulphuric  acid  (0-1  gram  in  a  cc.)  is  placed  in  a 
porcelain  dish  and  a  particle  of  morphine  added 
and  crushed  with  a  glass  rod,  a  deep  violet  colour 
appears,  which  slowly  changes  to  blue. 

If  a  few  drops  of  a  dilute  neutral  solution  of 
ferric  chloride  be  added  to  a  concentrated  solution 
of  a  morphine  salt,  a  dark  blue  colouration  is 
produced.  The  colour  is  destroyed  by  acids. 

Narcotine,  M.P.  176°. 

Cold  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  dissolves  the 
alkaloid,  giving  a  yellow  solution.  If  this  be  care- 
fully heated  in  a  porcelain  dish,  the  colour  changes 
from  yellow  through  orange  to  red,  while  a  bluish 
violet  colour  appears  at  the  edges.  If  the  heating 
be  continued  until  the  acid  begins  to  evaporate, 
the  solution  acquires  a  reddish  violet  colour. 

If  to  a  solution  of  narcotine  in  concentrated 
sulphuric  acid  there  be  added  10  to  20  drops  sul- 
phuric acid  containing  a  trace  of  nitric  acid,  the 
liquid  turns  brown  and  then  quickly  red. 


XXXII.    SULPHUR    COMPOUNDS. 

(OTHER    THAN    SULPHONIC    ACIDS    AND 
DERIVATIVES.) 

Carbon  Bisulphide,  CS2,  is  a  highly  refractive  colour- 
less liquid  boiling  at  47°.  When  it  is  added  to 
alcoholic  potash,  potassium  xanthate  is  precipitated 
in  yellow  needles — 

I 


90  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OP 

^OC2H5 
CS2  +  KOH  +  C2H5OH  =  CS  +  H20. 


MERCAPTANS  OR  THIO-ALCOHOLS. 

These  are  colourless  liquids  with  a  disagreeable 
garlic-like  odour,  and  are  insoluble  in  water. 

1.  Oxidation  with  nitric  acid  produces  sulphonic 
acids  which  can  be  identified  by  conversion  into  their 
amides  (see  page  48). 

2.  When  a  mercaptan  is  added  to  a  few  cc.  of  an 
alcoholic   solution   of    mercuric    chloride,   a  white 
precipitate  is  formed. 

3.  When   sodium  is  added   to   a   mercaptan  in 
ethereal    solution,   hydrogen   is    evolved    and   the 
sodium  salt  crystallizes  in  white  needles. 

Ethyl  mercaptan,  C2H5SH,  B.P.  36°. 
rc-Propyl  mercaptan,  C3H7SH,  B.P.  68°. 
Isopropyl  mercaptan,  (CH3)2CHSH,  B.P.  59°. 

THIOETHERS  OR  ALKYL  SULPHIDES. 

The  thioethers  are  colourless  liquids  with  a 
disagreeable  odour,  insoluble  in  water,  but  easily 
soluble  in  alcohol  and  ether.  They  are  characterized 
by  their  additive  powers  ;  for  example,  they  unite 
with  alkyl  iodides  to  form  sulphine  iodides. 

One  cc.  ethyl  iodide  is  added  to  1  cc.  of  the 
thioether  and  the  mixture  warmed.  After  adding 
about  a  gram  of  moist  silver  oxide,  the  mixture  is 

'• 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  91 

shaken  with  water,  again  warmed  and  filtered. 
The  filtrate  will  be  strongly  alkaline  owing  to  the 
presence  of  trialkyl  sulphoxide. 

R2g  +  C2H5I  =R2EtSI 

R2EtSI  +  AgOH  =  R2EtS-OH  +  Agl. 

Methyl  sulphide,  (CH3)2S3  B.P.  37-5°. 

Ethyl  sulphide,  (C2H5)2S,  B.P.  92°. 

n-Propyl  Sulphide,   (C3H7)2S,   B.P.    130-135°. 

Allyl  Sulphide,  (CH3-CH  :  CH)2S,  B.P.  139-140°, 
forms  a  crystalline  precipitate  with  alcoholic 
mercuric  chloride. 

Thiophene,  C4H4S,  B.P.  84°. 

When  a  crystal  of  isatin  is  dissolved  in  2  cc. 
cone,  sulphuric  acid,  and  to  this  solution  a  few 
drops  of  thiophene  are  added,  a  deep  blue  colour  is 
produced. 

COMPOUNDS    CONTAINING    NITROGEN    AND 
SULPHUR. 

MUSTARD  OILS  OR  ISOTHIOCYANATES. 

These  are  liquids  with  a  very  penetrating  odour. 
They  are  insoluble  in  water.  Their  boiling  points 
are  lower  than  those  of  the  corresponding  thio- 
cyanates. 

1.  When  heated  to  100°  with  concentrated 
hydrochloric  acid  under  a  reflux  condenser,  they 
are  decomposed  into  amines,  sulphuretted  hydrogen 
and  carbon  dioxide — 

R-NCS  +2H20  =R-NH2  +C02  +H2S. 


v 


92  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

2.  Reduction  by  means  of  zinc  and  hydrochloric 
acid  produces  an  amine  and  thiof  ormaldehyde,  which 
has  an  odour  of  onions  — 

R-NCS  +  2H2  =  R-NH2  +  H-CHS. 

3.  One  cc.  of  the  mustard  oil  is  warmed  with  one 
cc.    aniline    for    a    few    minutes.       On    cooling,    a 
thiourea  crystallizes  out,  and  its  melting  point  is 
determined  (see  p.  93). 


+  C6H5NH2  =  CS 


4.  If  1  cc.  of  the  mustard  oil  be  heated  with  one 
gram  yellow  mercuric  oxide,  an  isocyanate  and  a 
black  precipitate  of  mercuric  sulphide  are  formed. 

Methyl  mustard  oil,  CSNCH3,  M.P.  35°. 

Ethyl  mustard  oil,  CSNC2H5,  B.P.  131-132°. 

Allyl  mustard  oil,  CSNC3H5,  B.P.  150-7°. 

Phenyl  mustard  oil,  CSNC6H5,  B.P.  222°,  when 
reduced  with  zinc  dust  gives  benzonitrile. 

THIOUREAS. 

When  a  thiourea  is  heated  with  concentrated 
hydrochloric  acid  under  a  reflux  condenser  for 
some  time  and  then  distilled,  the  distillate  contains 
a  mustard  oil.  If  the  residue,  which  contains  a 
guanidine  derivative,  be  heated  with  concentrated 
caustic  soda  solution,  an  amine  and  a  carbonate 
are  produced. 


(a)  CS  =RNCS+R-NH3 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  93 


(6)  CS  +RNH2  =  C  =  NR    +  H2S 

XKTHR 


(c)  CNR      +2NaOH+H20=3R-NH2+Na2C03. 


Thiourea,  CS          ,  M.P.   172°,  when   boiled   with 


alkalies,    hydrochloric    acid    or    sulphuric    acid,    is 
decomposed. 


CS         +  2H20  =  C02  +  2NH3  +  H2S. 
\NH2 

^NHCH3 

Methylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  118°. 

^NH2 

^NHCH3 

Dimethylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  51-5°. 

^NHCH3 

^•NHC2H5 

Ethylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  113°. 

\NH2 

^-NHC2H5 

Diethylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  77°. 

\NHC2H5 

^NHCH2CH:CH2 

Allylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  78-5 

^-NH2 

^NHC6H5 
Phenylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  154°. 


I 


94  THE  IDENTIFICATION  OF 

^NHC6H6 

/Stym-Diphenylthiourea,  CS  ,   M.P.  151 

\NHC6H5 

^NHC6H5 
Phenylmethylthiourea,  CS  ,  M.P.  113°. 

\NHCH3 
^NHC6H5 
Phenylethylthiourea,  CS  ,   M.P.  99-5°. 


THIOCYANATES. 

1.  When  a  thiocyanate  is  reduced  with  zinc  dust 
and  hydrochloric  acid,  a  mercaptan  and  hydrocyanic 
acid  1  are  produced  — 

CNSR  +  H2  =  CNH  +  R-SH. 

2.  Boiling   nitric   acid   oxidizes   thiocyanates   to 
alkyl  sulphonic  acids. 

Methyl  thiocyanate,  CNSCH3,  B.P.  133°. 
Ethyl  thioeyanate,  CNSC2H5,  B.P.  142°. 
Allyl   thiocyanate,   CNSC3H5,   B.P.    161°,    rapidly 
changes  on  boiling  to  the  isomeric  mustard  oil. 


XXXIII.     TERPENES    AND 
ALLIED   COMPOUNDS. 

THESE  compounds,  although  possessing  many  of 
the  properties  of  compounds  already  considered, 
have  distinctive  characteristics,  thus  necessitating 

1  Since  hydrocyanic   acid  is  a  poison,  great    care    must  be 
taken  in  carrying  out  this  reaction. 


OEGANIC  COMPOUNDS  95 

their  separate  classification.  They  are  neither 
aliphatic  nor  aromatic,  and  are  complex  in  structure. 
Nevertheless,  they  yield  characteristic  derivatives 
which  as  a  general  rule  can  be  easily  identified.  They 
are  all  highly  inflammable,  possess  characteristic 
odours  and  are  insoluble  in  water,  but  are  readily 
soluble  in  most  organic  solvents. 


HYDROCARBONS. 

Dipentene,  C10H16,  B.P.  175-176°.  The  dihydro- 
Moride,  Ci0H16'2HCl,  is  prepared  by  passing  dry 
hydrochloric  acid  over  a  few  cc.  dipentene  for 
about  one  hour.  The  dihydrochloride  separates  on 
pouring  the  mixture  on  ice.  It  is  dried  on  a 
porous  plate  and  recrystallized  from  alcohol.  M.P. 
48-50°. 

Dipentene  tetrabromide,  Ci0H16Br4,  can  be  made 
by  adding  bromine  to  a  chloroform  solution  of 
dipentene,  cooled  to  -10°  by  salt  and  ice.  The 
chloroform  is  removed  by  blowing  a  current  of  dry 
air  through  the  solution.  The  tetrabromide  on 
recrystallization  from  ethyl  acetate,  melts  at  125°. 

The  active  forms  of  dipentene  are  the  limonenes. 
The  active  tetrabromides  melt  at  104°. 

Pinene,  C10H16,  B.P.  155-156°. 

The  nitrosochloride,  C10H16NOC1,  melts  at  115°. 
It  is  prepared  by  adding  1-5  cc.  33  per  cent,  hydro- 
chloric acid  to  a  mixture  (cooled  in  ice)  of  5  grams 
pinene,  5  grams  glacial  acetic  acid,  and  5  grams 
ethyl  nitrite.  After  a  short  time  the  nitrosochloride 


96  THE   IDENTIFICATION  OF 

separates  in  large  crystals.  It  is  filtered  off  at  the 
pump  and  washed  with  alcohol. 

Camphene,  C10H16,  melts  at  51°. 

When  heated  with  glacial  acetic  acid  and  a  little 
sulphuric  acid,  camphene  forms  isobornyl  acetate. 
On  adding  water  the  ester  separates  as  an  oil.  It 
is  hydrolysed  with  alcoholic  caustic  potash,  the 
alcohol  removed,  and  isoborneol  is  precipitated  on 
addition  of  water.  Isoborneol  melts  about  208°  in 
a  closed  tube. 

Menthene,  C10H18,  B.P.  167-168°.  The  nitroso- 
chloride  melts  at  127°. 

ALCOHOLS. 

Terpineol,  d0H17OH,  melts  at  35°.  It  forms  a 
nitrosochloride  melting  at  112-113°. 

Borneol,  C10H17OH,  M.P.  203-204°,  and  Iso- 
borneol, C10H17OH,  M.P.  208°,  yield  derivatives  of 
very  similar  melting  and  boiling  points.  The 
phenylurethanes  of  both  melt  at  138-139°. 

PREPARATION  OF  APHENYLURETHANE. — Molecular 
quantities  of  the  alcohol  and  phenyl  isocyanate  1 
are  mixed  and  heated  rapidly  to  boiling.  The  mix- 
ture is  well  shaken  and  allowed  to  stand,  the  flask 
being  closed  with  a  calcium  chloride  tube.  The 
unchanged  phenyl  isocyanate  is  extracted  with 
benzene,  and  the  residual  urethane,  after  removal 
of  benzene,  is  washed  with  cold  water  and  re- 
crystallized  from  ethyl  acetate  or  a  mixture  of 

1  This  preparation  should  be  carried  out  in  a  draught- 
cupboard. 


ORGANIC  COMPOUNDS  97 

ether  and  petroleum  ether.  (Solvents  containing 
"hydroxyl"  should  be  avoided.) 

When  isoborneol  is  heated  for  some  time  with 
ethyl  alcohol  and  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  iso- 
bornyl  ethyl  ether  (B.P.  203-204°)  is  produced. 
Bornyl  ethyl  ether  is  not  formed  in  this  way. 

Menthol,  C10H19OH,  M.P.  42°.  The  phenyl- 
urethane  forms  needles,  melting  at  111°. 

KETONES. 

Carvone,  C10H140,  B.P.  223-224°.  On  heating 
with  a  little  acid  it  is  converted  into  carvacrol. 

Camphor,  C10H160,  M.P.  177-178°.  The  oxime 
melts  at  120° ;  the  semicarbazone  at  236°. 

Menthone,  C10H180,  B.P.  208°,  has  a  peppermint- 
like  odour.  The  semicarbazone  melts  at  184°. 


XXXIV.     ALBUMINS  AND 
PROTEIDS. 

THESE  are  compounds  of  very  complicated  structure, 
and,  with  a  few  exceptions,  do  not  crystallize.     They 
are  insoluble  in  the  common  organic  solvents,  but 
dissolve  in  aqueous  solutions  of  acids  and  alkalies. 
The  following  are  general  tests  for  the  albumins  : — 
I.  MILLON'S  KB  AGENT   (a   solution   of   mercuric 
nitrate  containing  nitrous  acid)  gives  an  intense  red 
colouration  on  heating. 

H 


98 

II.  XANTHO-PROTEIN   REACTION.  —  By  heating 
an  albumin  with  fairly  concentrated  nitric  acid, 
there    separates    a    yellow    flocculent    precipitate 
of   xanthoproteic   acid,   which   dissolves   in   alkali 
giving  an  orange  red  solution. 

III.  BIURET  REACTION. — When  caustic  potash  is 
added  to  albumin,  and  then  a  very  dilute  solution 
of  copper  sulphate  drop  by  drop,  a  fine  violet- 
red  colouration  appears. 

Egg-albumin  is  soluble  in  water  and  is  precipitated 
from  its  solutions  by  metaphosphoric  acid  and  by 
acetic  acid.  The  precipitate  is  soluble  in  excess 
of  the  latter.  Egg-albumin  treated  with  con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid  and  sugar  solution  gives 
a  red  solution  which  changes  to  violet-red. 

Casein  contains  phosphorus.  An  alkaline  solu- 
tion of  casein  dissolves  cupric  hydrate,  giving  a 
violet  colour. 

Gelatine  contains  sulphur.  It  is  precipitated 
from  its  solutions  by  tannin. 


Appendix. 


MELTING-POINT   APPARATUS. — The^  sketch  shows  an 
apparatus    which  is  very  convenient  "and  gives   very 


3-3  cms. 


Il-Scms. 


4  cms. 


4-8cms 


accurate  determinations. 

SPECIAL  REAGENTS. 

NEUTRAL  FERRIC  CHLORIDE  SOLUTION. — To  some  of 
the  ferric  chloride  solution  provided  in  the  laboratory r 
dilute  ammonium  hydroxide  or  ammonium  carbonate 
is  added  drop  by  drop  until  a  precipitate  just  begins  to* 
form. 

SCHIFF'S  REAGENT. — Sulphurous  acid  is  added  to  a 
dilute  solution  of  rosaniline  hydrochloride  (magenta) 
until  the  colour  just  disappears. 


100  APPENDIX 

FEHLING'S  SOLUTION. — (I)  35  grams  copper  sulphate 
are  dissolved  in  water  and  diluted  to  1  litre.  (2)  173 
grams  sodium  potassium  tartrate  (Rochelle  salt)  and  70 
.grams  caustic  soda  are  dissolved  in  water  and  diluted 
to  1  litre. 

These  solutions  are  kept  in  separate  bottles.  Equal 
volumes  of  each  are  mixed  immediately  before  making 
a  test. 

SOLUTION  OF  IODINE  IN  POTASSIUM  IODIDE. — 5  grams 
of  iodine  are  dissolved  in  water  containing  10  grams  of 
potassium  iodide  and  the  solution  made  up  to  1  litre. 
HYDRIODIC  ACID. — To  obtain  the  constant  boiling 
solution  (Sp.  Gr.  1-7)  hydriodic  acid  of  Sp.  Gr.  2-00  is 
diluted  with  an  equal  volume  of  water  and  distilled  over 
a  small  quantity  of  red  phosphorus.  The  fraction 
boiling  at  125°-126°  is  collected  separately. 

SODIUM  BISULPHITE  (saturated  solution). — Sulphur 
dioxide  is  passed  into  a  saturated  solution  of  sodium 
carbonate  for  some  time.  Solid  carbonate  is  added, 
from  time  to  time,  until  no  more  dissolves.  The  final 
solution  should  smell  strongly  of  sulphur  dioxide. 

PHOSPHOMOLYBDIC  ACID. — To  a  solution  of  75  grams 
ammonium  molybdate  in  500  cc.  nitric  acid  (Sp.  Gr.  1-2) 
,and  500  cc.  water,  sodium  phosphate  solution  is  added 
until  there  is  no  further  precipitate.  This  is  then  filtered 
off,  well  washed  and  finally  warmed  with  sodium  car- 
bonate solution  until  completely  dissolved.  The  solu- 
tion is  evaporated  to  dryness,  and  the  residue  ignited. 
The  product  is  warmed  with  water  and  dissolved  in 
a  considerable  excess  of  nitric  acid. 

POTASSIUM  MERCURIC  IODIDE. — 13  grams  mercuric 
chloride  and  50  grams  potassium  iodide  are  dissolved  hi 
water  and  the  mixture  made  up  to  1  litre. 

MILLON'S  REAGENT. — A  small  quantity  of  mercury  is 
dissolved  in  twice  its  weight  of  concentrated  nitric  acid 
in  the  cold  and  twice  its  volume  of  water  is  added. 


INDEX 


A. 

Acetyl     compounds     of 
amines,  preparation  of 

Acid  amides  .... 

Acid  anhydrides. 

Acid  anilides 

Acid  halides  .... 

Acid  imides   .... 

Acids,    aliphatic    mono- 
basic saturated 

Acids,     aliphatic     poly- 
basic  saturated     . 

Acids,  aliphatic  unsatu- 
rated 

Acids,  amino. 

Acids,  aromatic  . 

Acids,  aromatic  sulphonic 

Acids,     halogen     substi- 
tuted       

Acids,  hydroxy  . 

Acids,  nitro   .... 

Albumins 

Alcohol  phenols  . 

Alcohols,  polyhydric 

Alcohols,  primary  mono- 
hydric 

Alcohols,  secondary  mono- 
hydric 

Alcohols,  tertiary  mono- 
hydric 

Aldehyde  ethers 

Aldehyde   group,   detec- 
tion of  . 


PAGE  pAGEr 

Aldehydes      ....  29 

Aldehydes  substituted  .  33 

Alkaloids 8$ 

Alkyl  sulphides  ...  90 

Amines,  aliphatic     .      .  62 

Amines,  aromatic     .      .  64 

Amines,  halogen       .  67 
Amino  group,  detection 

of 11 

Aminophenols      ...  29 

Azo  compounds  ...  83 

Azo  group,  detection  of  14 

B. 

Biuret  reaction   ...  76- 

C. 

Carbohydrates     ...  60 
Chromic   acid   oxidation 

mixture 15> 

D. 

Diazonium  salt,  prepara- 
tion of 64 


65 
53 
52 
55 
53 
55 

38 
39 

40 
46 
41 

48 

45 
43 
46 
97 
27 
21 

19 
21 

21 
36 


E. 

Esters 56 

Ethers 22 

Ethoxy  group,  detection 

of    *  9 


101 


102 


INDEX 


PAGE 


M. 


Fehling's    solution,    pre- 
paration of       ... 
Ferric    chloride,    neutral 
solution  

G. 
Glucosides      .... 

H. 

99 
99 

61 

Melting-point  apparatus 
Mendius'  reaction     .        13 
Mercaptans     .... 
Methoxy    group,    detec- 
tion of  
Millon's  reagent,  prepara- 
tion of  
Mustard  oils  .... 

N. 
Nitriles                   .      .      « 

99 
,74 

90 

9 

100 
91 

74 

Halogen  compounds,  ali- 

80 

Nitriles,  detection  of     . 

13 

Halogen  compounds,  aro- 
matic      
Halogen  phenols. 
Hydriodic  acid,  constant 

81 

27 

100 

Nitro     compounds,     ali- 
phatic     
Nitro    compounds,    aro- 
matic      
Nitro  group,  detection  of 

68 

69 
3 

Hydrocarbons,  aliphatic 
Hydrocarbons,  aromatic 
Hydroxyl  group,  detec- 
tion of  

I. 

Tmino  group,  detection  of 
Iodine  in  potassium  io- 

14 
15 

8 

12 

100 

Nitroanilines  .... 
Nitro-ketones 
Nitrophenols  .... 
Nitroso  compounds  . 
Nitrosochloride,  prepara- 
tion of  a    . 

0. 

Oxidation  with  chromic 

71 
71 

70 

72 

95 
18 

Isocyanates    .... 
Isonitriles  
Jsonitriles,  detection  of  . 
Jsothiocyanates    . 

K. 

Ketone  group,  detection 
of     

75 
74 
13 
91 

11 

Oximes,  preparation  of 

P. 
Phenols     
Phenols,  alcohol  . 
Phenols,  halogen 
Phenylhydrazones,    pre- 
paration of       ... 

29 

23 

27 
27 

30 

.Ketones                 .      .      . 

36 

Phenylurethanes,       pre- 

Ketones, nitro-    . 

L. 

Liebermann's  test    . 

71 
12 

paration  of       ... 
Phosphomolybdic     acid, 
preparation  of    '   . 
Picrates,   preparation  of 
Piperidine       .... 

96 

100 
17 

86 

INDEX 


103 


PAGE 

Potassium  mercuric  io- 
dide, preparation  of  .  100 

Proteids 97 

Pyridine 85 

Q. 

Quinoline 85 

Quinones 58 

S. 

Schiffs  reaction  ...        10 

Schiff's  reagent,  prepara- 
tion of 99 

Schotten-Baumann  reac- 
tion    8 

Semicarbazones,  prepar- 
ation of  ....  30 

Sodium  bisulphite,  pre- 
paration of  .  .  .  100 

SuJphonamides,  prepara- 
tion of  .  48 


PAGE 

Sulphur  compounds.      .        89 


T. 

Terpenes 94 

Tests  for  elements    .      .  4 

Tests,  preliminary    .      .  1 

Thioalcohols  ....  90 

Thiocyanates .      ...  94 

Thio-ethers     ....  90 

Thiophene       ....  91 

Thioureas 92 

Tollen's  reaction       .  9 


U. 

Ureas 75 

Ureides 75 

Unsaturation,  tests  for  4 

Uric  acid  group  ...  78 


Butler  &  Tanner. 'The  Selwood  Printing  Works,  Frome,  anc 


m 


T 


H 


TfnRNTA 


14  DAY  USE 

«N  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 


Berkeley 


YB   16724 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY